U.S. patent number 7,753,797 [Application Number 11/384,124] was granted by the patent office on 2010-07-13 for security methods and apparatus for a tangible medium containing wagering game outcomes.
This patent grant is currently assigned to IGT. Invention is credited to James A. Jorasch, Russell P. Sammon, Daniel E. Tedesco, Jay S. Walker.
United States Patent |
7,753,797 |
Walker , et al. |
July 13, 2010 |
Security methods and apparatus for a tangible medium containing
wagering game outcomes
Abstract
In accordance with some embodiments, a plurality of outcomes are
generated and used to create a video presentation of representative
outcomes that is recorded onto a tangible medium (e.g., DVD or
CD-ROM). A player may then purchase a video presentation of (e.g.,
predetermined) outcomes in a jurisdiction in which gambling is
legal and then view the presentation at the player's convenience
(e.g., from any jurisdiction and at any time). In some embodiments,
a salesperson inspects at least one tamper evident item associated
with the tangible medium for any indication of tampering. If no
tampering is evident, then the salesperson activates the tangible
medium upon receipt of a purchase price. In some embodiments, if
the salesperson determines that tampering has occurred, then she
refuses to activate the tangible medium, and information about the
player and the tangible medium may be communicated to one or more
databases.
Inventors: |
Walker; Jay S. (Ridgefield,
CT), Tedesco; Daniel E. (Shelton, CT), Jorasch; James
A. (New York, NY), Sammon; Russell P. (San Francisco,
CA) |
Assignee: |
IGT (Reno, NV)
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Family
ID: |
37235135 |
Appl.
No.: |
11/384,124 |
Filed: |
March 17, 2006 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20060246984 A1 |
Nov 2, 2006 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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60663545 |
Mar 18, 2005 |
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60685604 |
May 27, 2005 |
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60666393 |
Mar 29, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
463/43; 463/17;
463/46; 463/29 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F
17/32 (20130101); G07F 17/3241 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A63F
9/24 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;463/29,1,20,17,43,46 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
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Primary Examiner: Vo; Peter DungBa
Assistant Examiner: Deodhar; Omkar
Attorney, Agent or Firm: K&L Gates LLP
Parent Case Text
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application
Ser. No. 60/663,545, filed Mar. 18, 2005 and entitled SECURE
METHODS, SYSTEMS AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING GAMBLING RESULTS THAT
MAY BE VIEWED REMOTELY; and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 60/685,604, filed May 27, 2005 and entitled
METHODS, SYSTEMS AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING GAMBLING RESULTS THAT
MAY BE VIEWED REMOTELY, and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 60/666,393, filed Mar. 29, 2005 and entitled
METHODS, SYSTEMS AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING GAMBLING RESULTS THAT
MAY BE VIEWED REMOTELY.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method, comprising: (a) for each of a plurality of plays of a
wagering game: (i) randomly generating a symbol combination for
said play of the wagering game, the randomly generated symbol
combination for said play of the wagering game being independent
from the randomly generated symbol combination for each other play
of the wagering game; and (ii) determining any award associated
with the randomly generated symbol combination for said play of the
wagering game; (b) for each of the plurality of plays of the
wagering game, transferring to a tangible medium: (i) data
representing a video presentation of the randomly generated symbol
combination for said play of the wagering game; and (ii) data
representing any award associated with the randomly generated
symbol combination for said play of the wagering game; (c) causing
the tangible medium to be associated with at least one tamper
evident item; (d) enabling the at least one tamper evident item
associated with the tangible medium to be inspected for any
indication of tampering; (e) enabling activation of the tangible
medium if the tangible medium passes the inspection of the at least
one tamper evident item; and (f) after transferring said data to
the tangible medium, causing said tangible medium to be available
to be purchased.
2. The method of claim 1, which includes, if the tangible medium is
activated, enabling redemption of the tangible medium and
determining a redemption value for the tangible medium, the
determination based on any awards associated with the randomly
generated symbol combinations for said plays of the wagering
game.
3. The method of claim 1, which includes, prior to causing said
tangible medium to be available to be purchased, enabling the
tangible medium to be encased in a package, wherein the package
comprises at least one of a jewel case and a DVD case.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the tangible medium comprises a
DVD.
Description
The entirety of each of the above-identified applications is
incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
Various embodiments of the present invention are described herein
with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like
reference numerals indicate identical or functionally similar
elements. The leftmost digit(s) of a reference numeral typically
identifies the figure in which the reference numeral first appears.
As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the drawings and
accompanying descriptions presented herein indicate some exemplary
arrangements for stored representations of information. A number of
other arrangements may be employed besides the tables shown.
Similarly, the illustrated entries represent exemplary information,
but those skilled in the art will understand that the number and
content of the entries can be different from those illustrated
herein. A brief description of the drawings follows.
FIG. 1 is a flowchart of an example process according to some
embodiments described herein.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example "life cycle" of a DVD
according to some embodiments described herein.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an example system in accordance with
some embodiments described herein.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an example casino server (CS) in
accordance with some embodiments described herein.
FIG. 5 is a table illustrating an example available DVDs database
in accordance with some embodiments described herein.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an example process for creating a DVD,
according to some embodiments described herein.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an example process for determining
processing an order for a DVD, in accordance with some embodiments
described herein.
FIG. 8A is an example of a game disc, which may be a DVD.
FIGS. 8B and 8C illustrate a static-cling seal with a tab and a
static-cling seal with a barcode, respectively, for use with the
game disc of FIG. 8A.
FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B illustrate a top view and a side view,
respectively, of a jewel case in opened positions.
FIG. 9C illustrates an example of "marketing material" that may be
inserted into the jewel case of FIGS. 9A and 9B.
FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate a top view and a side view,
respectively, of a DVD case in opened positions.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart of an example process for storing an
indication of a sale of a DVD, in accordance with some embodiments
described herein.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart of an example process for providing a
payment corresponding to a DVD redemption value, in accordance with
some embodiments described herein.
FIGS. 13A, 13B and 13C illustrate examples of a cashout ticket, a
video ticket, and a results ticket, respectively, that may be
provided in accordance with some embodiments described herein.
FIG. 14 is an example of a wagering game receipt that may be
provided upon a purchase of a DVD, in accordance with some
embodiments described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
1. Introduction to Some Embodiments
In accordance with one or more embodiments, a method provides for
determining a plurality of outcomes of a wagering game and storing
an indication of the plurality of outcomes. The method further
provides for selling, after the last of the plurality of outcomes
has been generated, the plurality of outcomes to the player in
exchange for a price or other value. The plurality of outcomes may
be provided to the player, for example, by being recorded on a
tangible medium (e.g., a DVD), wherein the tangible medium has
associated therewith at least one tamper evident item. The tangible
medium is activated upon receipt of the purchase price and if the
tamper evident item passes inspection, as will be described in
detail below.
An outcome, as the term is used herein unless indicated otherwise,
refers to a result of a game play, which may be indicated by a
payout (i.e., a prize or benefit to be provided as a result of the
game play) and/or one or more indicia representative of the result.
For example, an outcome may comprise the set of indicia (or payout
corresponding thereto) that may be displayed along a payline of a
reeled slot machine. In another example, an outcome may comprise a
roulette number that is a result of a roulette spin. In some
embodiments, more than one set of indicia may represent the same
result or outcome.
In one embodiment, an outcome may be represented via indicia of a
media file. A media file may comprise graphical and/or audio data.
The graphical data may comprise a still or animated image of one or
more indicia. In some embodiments, more than one media file may
correspond to a particular outcome or result. For example, more
than one media file may correspond to an outcome that results in
zero credits being added to a credit meter balance.
A game, as the term is used herein unless indicated otherwise,
comprises a wagering activity conducted in accordance with a
particular set of rules via which a prize or benefit may be won in
exchange for consideration.
A game play, as the term is used herein unless indicated otherwise,
refers to a single instance or round of a game. A game play may
result in a single outcome (e.g., set of indicia and corresponding
payout, if any).
A type of game, as the term is used herein unless indicated
otherwise, refers to a category of games that share one or more
characteristics.
In accordance with one or more embodiments, a method provides for
causing a plurality of actual outcomes to be generated on a gaming
device operable to facilitate a wagering game and determining data
indicative of the plurality of actual outcomes. The method further
provides for determining, based on the data, a plurality of
representations (e.g., images and/or other video and/or audio),
each representation representing an outcome to be stored on a
tangible medium, each representation thereby comprising a
representative outcome. The method further provides for causing the
plurality of representative outcomes be stored on a tangible medium
and making the tangible medium available for sale.
An actual outcome, as the term is used herein unless indicated
otherwise, is an outcome directly determined by a Gaming Device
(GD) For example, an actual outcome may comprise the random number
determined by the random number generator of a GD, the particular
set of indicia that corresponds to the random number based on the
probability table used by the GD and/or the payout that corresponds
to the random number.
A representative outcome, as the term is used herein unless
indicated otherwise, is an indication of an actual outcome, the
representation being determined based on the actual outcome and, in
some embodiments, by a device other than a GD. For example, an
Assembly System (AS) may determine, based on a random number
determined by a GD, a media file to represent the actual outcome
determined by the GD. The media file may comprise a graphical
representation of a set of indicia and this set of indicia may be a
representative outcome corresponding to the actual outcome
determined by the GD.
It should be understood that, for a particular set of outcomes, the
set of actual outcomes may correspond to the same sum of payouts as
does the corresponding set of representative outcomes.
In some embodiments, the outcome in a set of actual outcomes that
corresponds to a set of representative outcomes may (i) differ in
number; (ii) differ in order (i.e., the actual outcomes may have
been generated in a first order while the representative outcomes
may be presented in a second order); and/or (iii) differ in indicia
or form of indicia.
A session, as the term is used herein unless indicated otherwise,
is a plurality of game plays conducted for the purpose of
determining a plurality of outcomes to be sold to a player. For
example, a session may refer to a plurality of game plays executed
by a GD, based on which plurality of game plays (e.g.,
representative outcomes and/or actual outcomes) a video
representation of outcomes is created and recorded onto a DVD or
other tangible medium, or based on which plurality of game plays
the video presentation is otherwise made available to a player. A
session may be completed over a plurality of distinct time periods
(e.g., some of the outcomes comprising the session may be generated
at a first date and/or time while more of the outcomes comprising
the session may be generated at a second date and/or time).
Further, a session may be executed on a plurality of GDs (e.g.,
simultaneously or in parallel fashion and/or at various times). A
session may be deemed to be completed once an end event defining
the end of the session has occurred (e.g., a predefined number of
outcomes has been generated, outcomes have been generated for a
predefined period of time, a credit meter balance as reached a
predefined value, etc.). In some embodiments, a session may be
deemed to be completed once one of a plurality of possible end
events occurs, whichever end event occurs first.
It should be noted that although the term DVD is used herein to
refer to a tangible medium on which an indication of a plurality of
outcomes may be recorded and which tangible medium may be sold to a
player, this term is used for purposes of brevity only and should
not be taken in a limiting fashion. All references to DVD likewise
include any other form of tangible medium that may be appropriate
and practicable for recording an indication of outcomes (e.g., a
video presentation) for subsequent remote viewing by a player. For
example, paper (e.g., a flip-through book), a CD-ROM, a VHS tape,
flash memory, a memory stick, a digital video tape, an MP3 file, or
any other tangible medium for recording information may be used.
Further, practicable variations of such media are contemplated
(e.g., DVD-R, CD-R, CD-RW, etc.). It should be understood that the
use of the term DVD is a reference to any and all such tangible
mediums.
In accordance with one or more embodiments, a method provides for
receiving, from a player, a request for a payout corresponding to a
plurality of outcomes previously sold to the player, wherein the
payout is a function of a sum of payouts of the plurality of
outcomes, and wherein the plurality of outcomes had been sold to
the player as a package without providing to the player an
indication of the payout. A payout corresponding to a DVD that is a
function of a sum of payouts of the plurality of outcomes or an
aggregate of the payouts may be, in some embodiments, the
"redemption value" of the DVD or other tangible medium via which
session information is remotely viewable. The method further
provides for verifying a legitimate purchase of the plurality of
outcomes by the player, verifying the payout and providing the
payout to the player. In some embodiments, the method may further
provide for storing an indication of the payout having been
provided to the player and/or verifying that the payout has not
previously been provided to the player.
The term "redemption value" is used herein to refer to a monetary
amount or prize that a player may redeem a purchased DVD for. This
term refers, unless indicated otherwise, to a value that is a
function of a sum of payouts (which may be a single payout in some
instances), the payouts being the payouts corresponding to the
outcomes represented on the DVD. The value may be, for example, a
function of (i) the starting credit meter balance at the beginning
of the session executed to determine the outcomes represented on
the DVD, (ii) a sum of wagers posted for the game plays comprising
the session; (iii) the payouts won as a result of game plays
comprising the session; and (iv) the payout or payouts won as a
result of game plays at a particular point or points within the
session. For example, assuming a session is executed with a
starting balance of $5.00, twenty game plays are executed during
the session at a wager of $0.25 per game play, and three of these
game plays result in a payout greater than zero (the first payout
being $4.00, the second payout being $12.00 and the third payout
being $3.00), the ending credit meter balance at the end of the
session is $19.00. Thus, in some embodiments the redemption value
of the DVD may be the ending credit meter balance, which is $19.00
in the above example. In other words, a player who purchases this
DVD for $20.00 may redeem the DVD for $19.00.
In accordance with one or more embodiments, a method provides for
selling a plurality of outcomes as a package, wherein the plurality
of outcomes is based on at least one random number result generated
by a gaming device operable to facilitate a wagering game, and
wherein the selling occurs after the at least one result has been
generated and prior to a payout for any outcome of the plurality of
outcomes having been provided to a player.
In accordance with some embodiments, provided are apparatus,
systems and methods for enabling casino patrons to view gambling
results remotely. In one or more embodiments, a player may purchase
a session of game plays from a casino. Using a gaming device
located within the casino, the session may then be executed on the
player's behalf according to parameters of the session (e.g.,
number of game plays, wager per game play, payout combinations
active, game, gaming device or type of gaming device, etc.). For
example, a slot machine may be configured to rapidly generate a
plurality of outcomes on the player's behalf. In some embodiments,
files representing the generated outcomes may then be stored on
media (e.g., a CD-ROM or DVD). The player may then remotely view
the previously generated outcomes at a later time (e.g., using one
or more devices such as home computers, televisions, DVD players,
PDAs, cellular phones, and so on), so as to experience wins and
losses associated with the session.
Referring now to FIG. 1, illustrated therein is a flowchart of an
example process 100 that may be performed in accordance with one or
more embodiments. It should be noted that, as is true for all
processes described herein, process 100 may, in some embodiments,
be performed by a variety of devices and/or persons. For example,
one or more of the steps described may be performed by a GD, one or
more of the steps may be performed by a Casino Server (CS), one or
more of the steps may be performed by a AS, one or more steps may
be performed by another device (e.g., CPD, POS, or another device)
and/or one or more of the steps may be performed by a person (e.g.,
a casino attendant or player). Further, the steps may be performed
in an order different from that described. Further still,
additional or different steps may be included and some steps may be
omitted or modified, as appropriate and/or practicable.
In step 105, a plurality of outcomes of a slot machine game is
determined. Determining the plurality of outcomes may comprise, for
example, determining a plurality of actual outcomes. For example,
if step 105 is being performed by a GD, determining a plurality of
outcomes may comprise generating a plurality of random numbers,
each random number comprising an outcome. If step 105 is being
performed by another device (e.g., CS 305 or AS 310, both described
below with respect to FIG. 3), step 105 may comprise determining an
indication of a plurality of actual outcomes generated by a GD. For
example, such an indication may be received via an electronic
transmission from a device (e.g., a GD may transmit such an
indication to a CS and/or AS via a network connection). In another
example, such an indication may be received via a printed document
(e.g., a session results ticket or wagering game receipt, described
below) may include a bar code or other encoded information readable
by a CS and/or AS, for determining the indication.
An indication of the plurality of outcome may comprise, for
example, one or more of the following information:
(i) a sum of payouts won as a result of the plurality of
outcomes;
(ii) an ending credit meter balance at the end of a session
comprising the plurality of outcomes;
(iii) a set of indicia representative of one of the plurality of
outcomes (e.g., a result of a roulette spin, a plurality of symbols
representing a hand of video poker, a plurality of symbols that may
be displayed along a payline of a reeled slot machine, etc.);
(iv) a game for which the plurality of outcomes was determined;
(v) a sum of wagers posted for the plurality of outcomes;
(vi) a price of the session;
(vii) a beginning credit meter balance at the beginning of a
session comprising the plurality of outcomes;
(viii) a player associated with the plurality of outcomes (e.g., in
embodiments in which a player requests a session prior to it being
executed);
(ix) a casino attendant associated with the plurality of outcomes
(e.g., the casino attendant who authorized, supervised and/or
executed the session comprising the plurality of outcomes);
(x) a unique identifier of a session comprising the plurality of
outcomes (e.g., such that information regarding the plurality of
outcomes may be determined by accessing an appropriate database
based on the unique identifier);
(xi) a unique identifier corresponding to an outcome of the
plurality of outcomes;
(xii) an identifier of a media file corresponding to an outcome of
the plurality of outcomes;
(xiii) a time and/or date at which an outcome of the plurality of
outcomes was generated;
(xiv) a gaming device on which the plurality of outcomes was
generated;
(xv) a type of gaming device on which the plurality of outcomes was
generated;
(xvi) an activation ID used to determine sale of a session; and
(xvii) a redemption ID used to determine redemption of a
session.
In some embodiments, determining a plurality of outcomes may
comprise determining a plurality of representative outcomes. For
example, if step 105 is being performed by an AS, determining a
plurality of outcomes may comprise determining an indication of a
plurality of outcomes (e.g., the payouts corresponding to each
outcome of the plurality of outcomes, a sum of payouts
corresponding to the plurality of outcomes, or any other of the
information listed above) and selecting representative outcomes to
represent a plurality of actual outcomes generated by a GD.
It should be understood that in some embodiments a plurality of
outcomes are generated (e.g., a session of game plays is executed
to determine a plurality of outcomes to be recorded on a DVD) prior
to any player expressing any interest in purchasing the plurality
of outcomes. For example, an entity (e.g., casino, GD manufacturer
and/or other entity) may create (or cause to be created) DVDs, each
DVD having recorded therein a video representation of a plurality
of outcomes, and place the created DVDs on a casino floor for
purchase by players.
In some embodiments, a player may purchase, request or otherwise
agree to a session (e.g., the player may request or order a DVD of
outcomes to be created on behalf of the player). In such
embodiments, methods for providing gaming contracts and/or flat
rate gaming sessions may be applied to embodiments described
herein. Many such methods are described in commonly-owned,
co-pending U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/627,670, filed Nov.
12, 2004, entitled "GAMING DEVICE OFFERING A FLAT RATE PLAY SESSION
AND METHODS THEREOF"; U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/600,211,
filed Aug. 10, 2004, entitled "SYSTEMS, METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR
ADMINISTERING GAMING CONTRACTS"; U.S. application Ser. No.
10/636,520, filed Aug. 7, 2003, entitled "SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR
COMMUNICATING GAME SESSION INFORMATION"; U.S. application Ser. No.
10/635,986, filed Aug. 7, 2003, entitled "SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR
REMOTE AUTOMATED PLAY OF GAMING DEVICES"; U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 10/001,089, filed Nov. 2, 2001, entitled "GAME MACHINE FOR
A FLAT RATE PLAY SESSION AND METHOD OF OPERATING SAME"; and U.S.
Pat. No. 6,077,163, filed Jun. 23, 1997, entitled "GAMING DEVICE
FOR A FLAT RATE PLAY SESSION AND METHOD OF OPERATING SAME"; the
entirety of each are incorporated herein by reference for all
purposes.
For example, a player may request a session by (i) actuating an
input device of a gaming device, kiosk or other device described
herein (e.g., the player actuates an icon of a touch-sensitive
display screen advertising "Purchase a DVD" or other similar text),
(ii) indicating such a desire verbally to a casino representative
(e.g., in person or over the phone), (iii) filling out and
submitting forms or other paperwork, and so on.
It should be noted that, in some embodiments, when requesting that
a session be executed, a player may provide various contact
information (e.g., postal address, phone number, e-mail address,
and so on), such that players may be provided with the results of
the session via the contact information (e.g., a code my be
e-mailed to the e-mail address, the code for accessing the results
online or a DVD may be mailed to the postal address, etc.).
In embodiments in which a session is executed prior to any player
expressing an interest in the session (e.g., embodiments in which
DVDs of sessions are massively produced and made available for
purchase), an entity such as a casino, GD manufacturer and/or other
entity may define the parameters and values thereof defining a
session. For example, such an entity may program a GD to execute
1000 sessions being defined by a set of particular parameters (and
values thereof).
In some embodiments, step 105 (or another or additional step) may
comprise storing an indication of parameters defining a session in
association with the session (e.g., in association with a unique
session identifier in a record of an appropriate database). In one
or more embodiments, a unique session identifier (e.g., numeric or
alphanumeric identification code) may be associated with each
session that is executed or that is scheduled for execution. In
some embodiments, such information may be stored electronically.
For example, various parameters and values thereof may be stored in
a record of a database, each record defining a session executed,
available for execution and/or scheduled to be executed. It should
be noted that such a database may be stored in a variety of
locations, including but not limited to within a GD and/or CS.
Alternately or additionally, a physical, non-electronic record of
such session parameters may be kept. For example, if a player has
filled out a paper form indicating various session parameters, the
form may be filed away or saved such that it may later be used when
executing the session. In another example, both a physical and an
electronic record may be kept (e.g., a casino attendant may enter
desired session parameters and values thereof using a computing
device such that they are recorded in a database, then use a
software application of the computing device to print a physical
piece of paper indicating the desired parameters and values
thereof).
In summary, irrespective of whether a session is prompted by a
request from a player or is part of a mass production process, step
105 comprises determining a plurality of outcomes comprising the
session. The step may comprise one or more subroutines, such as a
subroutine for (i) determining one or more parameters (and values
thereof) defining a session comprising the plurality of outcomes;
(ii) generating the plurality of outcomes; (iii) determining an
indication of the plurality of outcomes (which may comprise
determining an indication of a plurality of actual outcomes and/or
determining an indication of a plurality of representative
outcomes); (iv) decoding or interpreting the indication to
determine a plurality of representative outcomes; and/or (v)
selecting a plurality of media files, each media file corresponding
to an outcome of the plurality of outcomes.
It should be noted that when reference is made to an "outcome"
herein, such reference may refer to an actual outcome and/or a
representative outcome. In step 110, an indication of the plurality
of outcomes is stored. Storing an indication of the outcomes may
comprise, for example, one or more of (i) storing an indication of
the outcomes in a memory (e.g., a mass storage device) of a device
such as a GD, CS or AS; (ii) recording (or causing to be recorded)
an indication of the plurality of outcomes on a DVD; and (iii)
printing (or causing to be printed) an indication of the plurality
of outcomes on a document (e.g., a session results ticket). It
should be understood that an indication of a plurality of outcomes
may comprise any and all of the information described with respect
to step 105.
For example, storing an indication of outcomes may comprise a GD
transmitting an indication of the plurality of outcomes to a CS and
the CS in turn transmitting the indication (or another indication
based on the indication received from the GD) to an AS. Step 110
may further comprise the AS creating a video representation of the
plurality of outcomes (e.g., by selecting a plurality of media
files, each media file corresponding to one of the plurality of
outcomes) and recording the media files onto a DVD.
In one embodiment, storing an indication of the plurality of
outcomes may comprise storing a representative outcome for each of
the plurality of outcomes. In one embodiment, storing an indication
of the plurality of outcomes may comprise recording a plurality of
media files onto a DVD, each media file corresponding to one
outcome of the plurality of outcomes or, alternatively, combining
the plurality of media files into a single media file and storing
that to the DVD. In one embodiment, storing an indication of the
plurality of outcomes may comprise storing an indication of each
outcome of the plurality of outcomes.
In one embodiment, storing an indication of the plurality of
outcomes may comprise populating a record of an appropriate
database (e.g., with an indication of each outcome of the plurality
of outcomes) for subsequent creation of a video presentation of the
plurality of outcomes. For example, a first program of a device may
receive an indication of the plurality of outcomes and determine
particular representative outcomes (e.g., particular payouts and
the order thereof, particular media files and the order thereof,
and/or particular sets of indicia, each set corresponding to an
outcome of the plurality of outcomes). This first program may cause
the determined information to be stored in a database. A second
program may then create a video representation of the outcomes. A
third program may then cause the video presentation to be recorded
onto a DVD. Of course, a single program may be used or the first,
second and third program may be combined in any manner practicable
and desirable. Further, the first, second and third program may
each be performed by different devices or the same device, and the
devices may or may not be geographically proximate to each other,
depending on what is practicable and desirable.
In one or more embodiments, step 110 may comprise storing a result
of a session (e.g., an indication of outcomes determined for the
session) in an electronic manner. For example, as described, data
associated with a session may be stored electronically in a session
database. In some embodiments, session data may be stored on a
smart card (e.g., a smart card inserted into a reader device in
communication with a GD) or another portable storage medium.
Storage and/or transmission of an indication of the plurality of
outcomes may occur at any time. For example, some indication of the
plurality of outcomes may be stored and/or transmitted prior to the
execution of a session corresponding to the plurality of outcomes
(e.g., an indication of the session identifier and/or parameters of
the session may be stored in a record of a database upon the
session being scheduled and/or ordered). In another example, some
indication of the plurality of outcomes may be stored and/or
transmitted during or after the execution of a session (e.g., game
play results are individually stored as they are generated; game
play results are stored in RAM while they are being generated, then
written to ROM and erased from RAM; and so on). Thus, step 110 may
comprise transmitting and/or storing an indication of a plurality
of outcomes electronically to a memory.
It should be appreciated that such data may be stored
electronically in a variety of formats. For example, various data
may be stored as records of a database entry associated with a
session identifier. For example, in one embodiment, a database may
store text indicating any or all of a wager amount, outcome,
outcome identifier and payout amount associated with a particular
game play number (e.g., the first game play of a session is game
play "1"). In some embodiments, an indication of a plurality of
outcomes or other data associated with a session may be stored
electronically in an encoded fashion. For example, a bit function
representing an outcome may be stored in a database (e.g.,
"BAR-LEMON-CHERRY" is stored as 0129-2938-3847, each four-digit
sequence representing a particular symbol).
In some embodiments, storing an indication of the plurality of
outcomes may comprise accessing a media file database to determine
a media file (e.g., a media file associated with a result of a game
play), and then storing an indication of a game play number along
with an associated media file.
Alternately or additionally, storing an indication of the plurality
of outcomes may comprise outputting the indication in some
physical, non-electronic fashion. For example, in some embodiments,
a GD may actuate a printer device to print a bar code encoding the
indication of the plurality of outcomes (e.g., an indication of a
session result). For example, a GD may print upon a conventionally
sized TITO ticket a high-density barcode encoding an indication of
the plurality of outcomes associated with an executed session. For
example, text, numerals or other symbols stored within a session
database (e.g., a series of outcome identifiers) may be encoded
such that they are represented graphically by a barcode such as a
high-density barcode. Various methods of encoding such text and/or
numerals graphically using a high-density barcode are contemplated.
In further embodiments, encoding an indication of the plurality of
outcomes as a printed barcode may comprise accessing a media file
database to determine a media file associated with an outcome, and
then encoding a game play number along with an associated media
file or indication of an associated media filed (e.g., an
identifier that uniquely identifies a media file).
Accordingly, in various embodiments, storing an indication of the
plurality of outcomes may comprise outputting and/or storing the
indication in an electronic and/or physical fashion. As described,
in some embodiments, a session may have been executed without
interaction from a user (e.g., agent), as an electronic signal
instructing a GD to execute a session defined by certain parameters
and values thereof may be sent by a separate device. Accordingly,
in some embodiments, a person (e.g., a casino attendant or player)
may approach a GD and access or attain an indication of the
plurality of outcomes corresponding to the session. For example, a
casino attendant may be dispatched to collect a cashout ticket,
video ticket and/or session results ticket from a GD. In another
embodiment, a casino attendant may be dispatched with a smart card
or other portable memory device (e.g., a CPD). The casino attendant
may insert the smart card into a reader device of a GD, and the
indication of the plurality of outcomes may be transferred or
copied from a memory of the GD to a memory of the smart card or
other portable memory device. For example, in one embodiment, an
indication of the plurality of outcomes may be stored temporarily
in GD memory until it is retrieved by a casino attendant or player
(and, e.g., transferred to a smart card) and/or transmitted to
another device.
In step 115, it is determined whether the last of the plurality of
outcomes have been generated. In some embodiments, a session is not
considered to be completed (and thus the results of the session not
ready for sale or other provision to a player) until the last of
the outcomes comprising the session have been generated.
Accordingly, it may be determined whether the last of the outcomes
have been generated. For example, a parameter of a session defining
the duration of the session may be determined (e.g., a number of
outcomes) and compared to the data comprising the indication of the
plurality of outcomes. If the data indicates that the number of
outcomes defined by the parameter is the same as the number of
outcomes indicated by the indication, it may be determined that the
last of the plurality of outcomes has been generated. In another
example (e.g., one in which step 115 is being performed by a GD),
determining whether the last of the plurality of outcomes have been
generated may comprise determining whether the session has been
completed by determining whether the end event defined by a
parameter of the session has occurred (e.g., determining an elapsed
time since a beginning of the session).
In some embodiments an indication of a plurality of outcomes may
not be received by a particular device performing step 115 unless
and until the last of a plurality of outcomes has been generated.
In such embodiments, step 115 may be superfluous. Alternatively, an
affirmative determination to step 115 may be determined if it is
determined that the indication of the outcomes has been
received.
In one embodiment, step 115 may further comprise determining
whether the last of representative outcomes corresponding to actual
outcomes of a session have been determined. For example, if step
115 is being performed by a device creating a video representation
of the outcomes or selecting media files for the plurality of
outcomes, each media file comprising a representative outcome, step
115 may comprise determining whether the last of the representative
outcomes has been determined (e.g., whether a representative
outcome for each of a plurality of actual outcomes comprising a
session has been determined).
If it is determined that the last of the plurality of outcomes has
not been generated (e.g., the session comprising the plurality of
outcomes is not yet complete), the process returns to step 105, in
which the remainder of the plurality of outcomes (or more of the
plurality of outcomes) are determined. Otherwise, the process 100
continues to step 120.
In step 120, the plurality of outcomes is sold to a player in
exchange for a price. Of course, it should be understood that in
some embodiments the plurality of outcomes may be provided to a
player without receiving a price therefore. For example, the
plurality of outcomes may be provided as a reward (e.g., for
loyalty to a casino or certain desirable play behavior), gift or
incentive. Further, it should be understood that the price received
in exchange for the plurality of outcomes may be a monetary amount
(e.g., U.S. dollars) or may be in another form of consideration.
For example, a player may agree to perform an activity or engage in
a behavior in exchange for the plurality of outcomes. For example,
a player may answer survey or marketing questions and/or commit to
returning to a casino within a predetermined time frame.
Selling the plurality of outcomes to a player in exchange for a
price may comprise, for example, selling a DVD to the player, the
DVD having recorded thereon a video representation of the plurality
of outcomes. Additional detail on such an embodiment is provided
below.
In some embodiments, selling the plurality of outcomes to a player
may comprise providing an indication of the plurality of outcomes
to a player who has previously ordered or requested that the
plurality of outcomes be generated, and may have already paid for
the outcomes. In such embodiments, selling the plurality of
outcomes to the player may comprise communicating (e.g.,
transmitting) an indication of the outcomes (or an indication of an
availability of the outcomes) to the player. For example, a DVD may
be mailed to the player or a code or other information (e.g., an
executable file that displays representative outcomes when opened
or run) may be e-mailed to the player.
In one embodiment, selling the plurality of outcomes to a player
may occur at a POS of a casino. For example, a player may request
to purchase a DVD of outcomes at the POS. The sale of the DVD may
involve various procedures for ensuring the security and legitimate
sale of the DVD, and such procedures are described in detail
herein.
As described, in one embodiment selling a plurality of outcomes to
a player may comprise providing the player access to a video
presentation representing the outcomes, such that the player may
view game results from a location that is remote from a casino
(though the results themselves may have been generated within a
casino). In some embodiments, player contact information received
when a player purchases a session or video presentation based on
the session (e.g., address, phone number, e-mail address) may be
used in providing the player access to the video presentation.
In some embodiments, a video presentation of a plurality of
outcomes comprising a session may be output via tangible media such
as a DVD or CD-ROM. Accordingly, in some embodiments, such tangible
media may be provided, shipped or mailed to a purchaser of a
session. For example, the tangible media may be handed to the
player upon the player purchasing the session, may be mailed to a
mailing address indicated by a player, may be stored in a
centrally-accessible database or in written form, etc.
It should be understood that the various steps of process 100 may
occur at different locations. For example, a plurality of outcomes
may be generated at a casino and transmitted to a DVD assembly
facility that is remote from the casino. The DVD assembly facility
may then create a DVD having recorded therein a video
representation of the plurality of outcomes. The DVDs assembled at
such a DVD assembly facility may then be transported to another
location (e.g., to a casino, to be made available for sale to
players or directly to a player's home if the player has previously
ordered a DVD). FIG. 2, described below, illustrates the various
processes and locations that may be involved in some embodiments of
the present invention.
Referring now to FIG. 2, illustrated therein is a block diagram of
an example "life cycle" of a DVD according to some embodiments
described herein. The block diagram illustrates the various
entities and processes that may be involved in at least one
embodiment described herein. It should be noted that each of the
processes described briefly with respect to FIG. 2 is described in
detail herein. FIG. 2 is provided herein to illustrate one possible
implementation of some embodiments.
As illustrated in FIG. 2, in accordance with some embodiments three
distinct locations may be involved in providing a DVD of outcomes
to a player. The first location is a casino 205, at which a player
may purchase and redeem a DVD. The second location is a DVD
creation facility 210, at which a DVD of outcomes may be created
based on outcomes determined by a GD. The third location is a
player's home 215 or other location remote from a casino, at which
location a player may view a DVD of outcomes.
The casino 205 may include a CS 225 that facilitates the sale and
redemption of DVDs of outcomes. The CS 225 is in communication with
a GD 220 at which outcomes are created, based on which outcomes a
video presentation of outcomes for the DVD will be created. The CS
225 is also in communication with a POS 230, at which a player may
purchase a DVD of outcomes.
The DVD creation facility includes a DVD assembly system 235 (DVD
AS 235). The DVD AS 235 is comprised of a computer 240 and a DVD
recording device 245.
The player home 215 may include a TV 250 in communication with a
DVD player 255. It should be understood, of course, that if a
tangible medium other than a DVD is used to provide a video
presentation of outcomes to a player, the player home 215 may
include devices appropriate for reading and outputting the video
presentation to a player (e.g., if the outcomes are stored on a
CD-ROM, the player home may include a personal computer (PC)
operable to read and output the information recorded on the
CD-ROM).
A player's obtainment of a DVD of outcomes may begin with a process
P-200-1, in which process GD 220 generates a plurality of outcomes
for a session and communicates (e.g., transmits) an indication of
the plurality of outcomes to CS 225. In an alternate embodiment, GD
220 may communicate an indication of the plurality of outcomes
directly to AS 235 (e.g., in lieu of or in addition to
communicating the indication to CS 225). It should be noted that,
as described, a player may have requested the plurality of outcomes
or session prior to the outcomes being generated. In such
embodiments, a player's obtainment of a DVD of outcomes may instead
begin with a process in which a player approaches a POS 230 to
request the plurality of outcomes (and, e.g., provides the desired
parameters and values thereof for the session comprising the
plurality of outcomes). However, for purposes of simplicity, FIG. 2
illustrates an embodiment in which DVDs are mass produced, without
the creation of a DVD being dependent on a player requesting a
purchase of a particular session.
Once the GD 220 (or another device since, as described herein, any
reference to a particular device performing a particular function
is not meant to be limiting since the function may be performed by
another device, as desired and practicable) transmits an indication
of the plurality of outcomes, which will be referred to as session
result data at least for purposes of FIG. 2, the CS 225
communicates the session result data to DVD AS 235. For example,
the CS 225 may electronically communicate the session result data
in an encrypted fashion to CS 225. The session result data may
include, for example, an indication of one or more of (i) a game
for which the plurality of outcomes were generated; (ii) a price of
the session; (iii) a beginning credit meter balance for the
session; (iv) an ending credit meter balance for the session; (iv)
a number of game plays included in the session; (v) a wager per
game play; (vi) a sum of payouts obtained for the session; (vi)
particular outcomes (e.g., sets of indicia and/or payouts) obtained
during the session; (vii) a strategy employed during the session
(e.g., if any decision-making is required during a game play);
and/or (viii) a session identifier.
The computer 240 may then create a video presentation based on the
received session result data. For example, the computer 240 may
select or create appropriate media files (e.g., video clips, each
video clip corresponding to a particular representative outcome to
be included in the video presentation) based on the received
session result data. The computer 240 may also determine an order
in which the media files are to be put together in the video
presentation. Such an order may be determined, for example, based
on an order in which outcomes were generated by GD 220 (which order
may be included in the session result data received). It should be
understood that a video presentation created in accordance with
some embodiments may include data other than the mere
representation of outcomes obtained as a result of a session. For
example, inserted pauses to mimic a time at which a player would
normally pull a slot machine handle or otherwise initiate the next
game play may be interspersed between each video clip representing
an outcome, to approximate the experience a player may have while
playing a GD on a casino floor. This additional data may be, in
some embodiments, additional video data, or in other embodiments,
navigation data such as DVD pause commands. In another example,
audio and/or video of messages may also be included (e.g.,
congratulatory messages appear upon an outcome corresponding to a
large payout being displayed).
Once the computer 240 creates a video presentation (e.g., selects
the media files to be included in the video presentation and the
order thereof), the computer 240 may, in process P-200-3, direct
the DVD recording device to record the video presentation onto a
DVD. The DVD recording device records (e.g., stamps) the video
presentation onto a DVD.
Once the DVD is created (which, in some embodiments, may include
inserting or packaging the DVD in a jewel case, including marketing
materials with the DVD, labeling the DVD with unique identifiers
(e.g., in the form of barcodes) as appropriate, and wrapping the
DVD in secure packaging), the DVD is transported from the DVD
creation facility 210 or Assembly System (AS) to the casino 205 in
process P-200-4. For example, a shipment of DVDs created in
accordance with the above processes may be shipped to the casino.
Additionally, data indicative of the DVDs created and being shipped
may be communicated to the casino 205. For example, an indication
of a unique DVD identifier that corresponds to a unique session
identifier of a session based on which the DVD was created may be
communicated. Such information may be communicated electronically
and/or via printed form (e.g., as documents included in the
shipment).
Once the DVD arrives at the casino 205, it is made available for
purchase to players. For example, the DVD may be placed on a
display of DVDs on a casino floor (e.g., next to a GD that is
operable to facilitate a game based on which the outcomes of the
DVD were generated), behind a casino counter, in a casino hotel
room, etc. Information regarding the DVD is stored in CS 225. For
example, the unique DVD identifier (which may also be included on
the DVD and/or DVD packaging) may be stored in an available DVDs
database, along with other information associated with the DVD
(e.g., a redemption value of the DVD and a status of the DVD (e.g.,
whether it has yet been sold and/or redeemed)).
A player who desires to purchase the DVD may then request to
purchase the DVD at POS 230. For example, a player may select the
DVD from a display on a casino floor and bring it to POS 230. In
another example, the DVD may be available at a merchant associated
with the casino and POS 230 and the player may select the DVD from
a shelf of the merchant and present it for purchase at POS 230. In
yet another example, the DVD may be located behind an employee
counter of a POS 230 and the player may request to purchase the DVD
by informing a casino attendant, who selects the DVD from behind
the counter for the player. The purchase of the DVD is facilitated
in process P-200-5, in which process the POS 230 communicates with
CS 225 to verify that the DVD has not previously been purchased and
is available for sale. The process P-200-5 may include other steps
for ensuring that the DVD is sold in a secure manner, as described
in detail herein. For example, an identifier of the player may be
received and/or an activation code for the DVD may be received from
CS 225. A casino representative may also be required to scan a
barcode or other indicia of the DVD in a designated area that
includes video surveillance equipment, for example, to ensure that
tampering does not occur prior to sale. Once the player provides
the appropriate price for the DVD, the player is provided with the
receipt and DVD and the purchase is complete.
The player may then take the DVD home in process P-200-6 and view
the video presentation of outcomes at his leisure. The player may
subsequently return to the casino and request a payment of the
redemption value of the DVD, in process P-200-7. For example, the
player may visit POS 230 in order to redeem the DVD. For example,
if the ending credit meter balance of a session, which the DVD
redemption value is a function of, is greater than zero, the player
may obtain the redemption value by returning to the casino with the
DVD and receipt.
Upon receiving a request to collect a redemption value of a DVD at
a POS 230, a process P-200-8 is performed for verifying and
authorizing the provision of the redemption value to the player.
For example, a legitimate purchase by the player of the DVD may be
verified. Additionally, it may be verified that the redemption
value has not previously been collected. An example redemption
process for redeeming a redemption value of a DVD is described in
detail herein.
Of course, it should be understood that a player need not view the
video presentation in order to collect the DVD redemption value. As
described herein, in some embodiments a player may be allowed to
collect the redemption value of a purchased DVD without ever
opening the DVD and/or without viewing the video presentation of
the DVD. Further, it should be noted that, in some embodiments, a
player need not return to the casino in order to collect the DVD
redemption value. As is described herein, in some embodiments the
DVD redemption value may be provided to the player who purchased
the DVD after a predetermined period of time from the purchase of
the DVD passes (e.g., one month after the DVD is purchased, a check
for the redemption value is mailed to the player if the player has
not yet collected the redemption value). In some embodiments, a
player may request to collect the redemption value of a DVD without
being required to visit the casino (e.g. a player may call or
e-mail the casino or send in his DVD and receipt therefore via
postal mail in order to collect the redemption value).
In some embodiments, as described herein, a player may be provided
with a benefit for returning to a casino after purchasing a DVD
even if the DVD redemption value is zero or the credit meter
balance associated with the session based on which the DVD was
created was zero. For example, a player may be provided with free
game plays, comp points, discounts, or other prizes.
2. Systems
Referring now to FIG. 3, illustrated therein is a block diagram of
an embodiment 300 of an example system that may be utilized to
implement one or more embodiments described herein. Embodiment 300
is referred to as system 300 herein. The system 300 comprises a
casino server 305 (CS 305). An example embodiment of CS 305 is
described in detail herein with respect to FIG. 4.
The CS 305 is operable to communicate with an assembly system 310
(AS 310). The AS 310 may be operable, for example, to assemble or
otherwise create or facilitate DVDs or other tangible media storing
outcomes in accordance with embodiments described herein. In one
embodiment, AS 310 may be located in a location remote from a
casino in which a CS 305 is located. In other embodiments, AS 310
may be located in the same location as CS 305. In one embodiment,
some or all of the functions described herein as being performed by
AS 310 may instead or in addition be performed by CS 305 and/or
another device. In some embodiments CS 305 and AS 310 are operated
by the same entity, irrespective of whether they are each located
in the same location or remote locations (e.g., a casino may
operate both). In other embodiments, CS 305 is operated by a first
entity (e.g., a casino) while AS 310 is operated by a second entity
(e.g., a manufacturer of gaming devices).
The CS 305 is further operable to communicate with one or more
gaming devices 315 (GD 315). A GD 315 may be operable, for example,
to generate a plurality of outcomes in accordance with embodiments
described herein. A GD 315 may comprise, in one embodiment, a GD on
a casino floor that is also operable to be used by a player in a
conventional manner. In other embodiments, GD 315 may comprise a
modified GD (MGD). Although only a single GD is shown, any number
of GDs may be used.
The CS 305 is further operable to communicate with a Point-of-Sale
320 (POS 320). Although only a single POS is shown, any number of
POSs may be used. The CS 305 is further operable to communicate
with a casino personnel device 325 (CPD 325). A CPD may be used,
for example, by an employee of a casino to facilitate one or more
embodiments described herein. Although only a single CPD is shown,
any number may be used.
In some embodiments, various casino locations (e.g., change booths,
customer service counters, kiosks, shops, restaurants, etc.) may
utilize POS terminals to facilitate various processes described
herein. For example, in some embodiments, a player may purchase a
DVD containing a plurality of outcomes previously generated by a GD
315 via a POS 320. In another example, a player may request at a
POS 320 that a plurality of outcomes be generated in accordance
with one or more parameters specified by the player and stored on a
DVD to be provided to the player. Thus, in some embodiments, a POS
may be utilized to (i) receive from a player a request to purchase
a DVD of outcomes; (ii) verify and/or authorize the sale of the
DVD; (iii) accept payment in exchange for the DVD; and/or (iv)
provide a payout corresponding to the DVD upon a player's
authorized redemption of the DVD by submitting a wagering receipt,
for example, which was provided to the player when she purchased
the DVD. In some embodiments, a POS 320 may be operable to
communicate with CS 305 to authorize the sale and/or redemption of
a DVD. In some embodiments, a POS 320 may be configured to read
from and/or write to one or more databases of the present invention
(e.g., an available DVDs database). In some embodiments, a POS 320
may comprise various hardware and software described herein with
respect to other devices (e.g., a keyboard, processor, display,
etc.). In some embodiments, a POS 320 may be operable to
communicate with a device in addition to CS 305. For example, POS
320 may be operable to communicate with an inventory/reservation
system (e.g., a computer terminal at a theatre communicates with an
inventory database to determine a number of unsold seats for a
certain event). In some embodiments, CS 305 may function as an
inventory/reservation system.
In some embodiments, various casino employees may be equipped with
or otherwise utilize one or more CPDs. A CPD 325 may comprise, for
example, a PDA or other computing device (e.g., a personal computer
terminal). A CPD 325 may comprise various input devices (e.g., a
keypad, a touch-sensitive display screen, a card reader, an
infrared bar code scanner, etc.), various output devices (e.g., an
LCD screen), a processor, a memory and/or a communications port, as
described herein with respect to other devices. In some
embodiments, a CPD 325 may be operable to communicate with a GD
315, CS 305, another server, a kiosk, a peripheral device, AS 310
and/or an inventory/reservation system of a casino-maintained
property (e.g., a hotel). Thus, a CPD 325 may be configurable to,
among other things, (i) read from and/or write to one or more
databases of the present invention, (ii) assist in payments made to
players (e.g., a representative "scans" a receipt for a purchased
DVD and determines a value associated with the receipt, and if the
receipt is valid, provides payment equal to the value), (iii)
assist in payment made by players (e.g., a casino representative
may receive a payment from a player for purchasing a DVD as
described herein and obtain an activation code for the DVD to
provide to the player); (iv) cause a GD to generate a plurality of
outcomes for storage on a DVD in accordance with embodiments
described herein; and/or (v) execute or assist in the execution of
various other processes described herein. In one or more
embodiments, a CPD may be operable to read data from and/or write
data to one or more of the databases described herein. A memory of
a CPD may store a program for executing processes described herein,
or portions thereof.
The CS 305 may communicate with any and all of AS 310, GD 315, POS
320 and CPD 325 directly or indirectly, via a wired or wireless
medium such as the Internet, LAN, WAN or Ethernet, Token Ring, or
via any appropriate communications means or combination of
communications means. For example, in one embodiment communication
among any and all of the devices of system 300 may occur over the
Internet through a Web site maintained by computer on a remote
server or over an on-line data network including commercial on-line
service providers, bulletin board systems and the like. In yet
other embodiments, communication among any of the devices of system
300 may occur over RF, cable TV, satellite links and the like.
It should be noted that the lines connecting the various devices of
system 300 do not imply that the devices are operable to
communicate via a particular network. For example, AS 310 may not
be located on a network that CS 305, GD 310, POS 320 and CPD 325
are located on.
Further, any and all of the CS 305, AS 310, GD 315, POS 320 and CPD
325 may comprise a computing device (or one or more computing
devices), such as those based on the Intel@ Pentium.RTM.
processor.
In some embodiments, communication among some or all of the devices
300 may occur over a network. Some, but not all, possible
communication networks that may comprise the system 300 include: a
LAN, a WAN, the Internet, a telephone line, a cable line, a radio
channel, an optical communications line, and a satellite
communications link. For example, GD 315 may communicate with CS
305 over a LAN while CS 305 may communicate with AS 310 over a WAN
or via a cable line.
Possible communications protocols that may be part of the system
300 include: Ethernet (or IEEE 802.3), SAP, ATP, Bluetooth.TM., and
TCP/IP. Communication may be encrypted to ensure privacy and
prevent fraud in any of a variety of ways well known in the
art.
A variety of communications protocols may be part of the system 300
or another system operable to facilitate the embodiments described
herein, including but not limited to: Ethernet (or IEEE 802.3),
SAP, SAS.TM., SuperSAS.TM., ATP, Bluetooth.TM., and TCP/IP.
Further, in some embodiments, various communications protocols
endorsed by the Gaming Standards Association of Fremont, Calif.,
may be utilized, such as (i) the Gaming Device Standard (GDS),
which may facilitate communication between a gaming device and
various component devices and/or peripheral devices (e.g.,
printers, bill acceptors, etc.), (ii) the Best of Breed (BOB)
standard, which may facilitate communication between a gaming
device and various servers related to play of one or more gaming
devices (e.g., servers that assist in providing accounting, player
tracking, content management, ticket-in/ticket-out and progressive
jackpot functionality), and/or (iii) the System-to-System (S2S)
standard, which may facilitate communication between game-related
servers and/or casino property management servers (e.g., a hotel
server comprising one or more databases that store information
about booking and reservations). Communication may be encrypted to
ensure privacy and prevent fraud in any of a variety of ways well
known in the art.
In some embodiments, a CS 305 may not be necessary and/or
preferred. For example, one or more embodiments may be practiced on
a stand-alone GD 315 (e.g., one operable to output a DVD of
outcomes, and/or one associated with a device operable to output a
DVD of outcomes) and/or a GD 315 operable to communicate with AS
310 directly. In such embodiments, any functions described as
performed by the CS 305 or data described as stored on the CS 305
may instead be performed by or stored on one or more GD 315 and/or
AS 310.
It should be understood that referring to CS 305 as a "casino"
server is not meant to imply that a casino controls, or exclusively
controls, this device or all functions thereof. For example, in one
embodiment CS 305 is a device operated by an entity other than a
casino (e.g., an entity that also operates AS 310 or controls some
functions of AS 310). CS 305 may be any device operable to
facilitate the creation of a DVD that stores a plurality of
outcomes in accordance with embodiments described herein.
In one embodiment, CS 305 may in turn be in communication with
another electronic device that is distinct from a GD 315 and/or AS
310, which electronic device may be operable to (i) direct the CS
305 to perform certain functions and/or (ii) read data from and/or
write data to the CS 305. For example, the CS 305 may comprise a
slot server or Data Collection Unit (DCU) that controls and/or
communicates with a bank of slot machines, which slot server or DCU
is in turn in communication with a casino server that is in
communication with a plurality of such slot servers or DCUs.
In another embodiment, the CS 305 may be operable to communicate
with a GD 315 via another electronic device (e.g., a DCU), such as
a server computer operable to communicate with a plurality of slot
machines. For example, in one embodiment, the CS 305 may be
operable to communicate with a plurality of computing devices, each
computing device operable to communicate with a respective
plurality of gaming devices.
It should be noted that, in some embodiments, one or more of the
devices described with respect to system 300 may be combined (or
the functions described with respect to may be combined as being
performed by) a single device. For example, CS 305 and AS 310 may
comprise the same device or a single device may perform the
functions described herein as being performed by the two devices as
embodying two distinct devices. In another example, GD 315 may
comprise CS 305 and/or AS 310 and may, in some embodiments, perform
some or all of the functions described herein as being performed by
CS 305 and/or AS 310, and vice versa.
Referring now to FIG. 4, illustrated therein is a block diagram of
an example embodiment 400 of a CS (e.g., the CS 305 of FIG. 3). The
embodiment 400 is referred to herein as CS 400. The CS 400 may be
implemented as a system controller, a dedicated hardware circuit,
an appropriately programmed general-purpose computer, or any other
equivalent electronic, mechanical or electromechanical device. The
CS 400 may comprise, for example, one or more server computers
operable to communicate with one or more client devices, such as
one or more GDs, an AS, one or more kiosks, one or more POSs, one
or more peripheral devices, and/or one or more CPDs. The CS 400 may
be operative to manage the system 300 or at least to facilitate
some functions or procedures described herein.
In operation, the CS 400 may function under the control of a
casino, another merchant, an entity that may also control use of
the GD 315, and/or a GD manufacturer. For example, the CS 400 may
be a slot server in a casino. In some embodiments, the CS 400 and a
slot server may be different devices. In some embodiments, the CS
400 may comprise a plurality of computers operating together. In
some embodiments, the CS 400 and a GD 315 may be the same
device.
The CS 400 comprises a processor 405, such as one or more
Intel.RTM. Pentium.RTM. processors. The processor 405 is in
communication with a communication port 410 (e.g., for
communicating with one or more other devices, such as one or more
GDs 315 and/or AS 310) and a memory 415. The memory 415 may
comprise an appropriate combination of magnetic, optical and/or
semiconductor memory, and may include, for example, Random Access
Memory (RAM), Read-Only Memory (ROM), a compact disc and/or a hard
disk. The processor 405 and the memory 415 may each be, for
example: (i) located entirely within a single computer or other
device; or (ii) connected to each other by a remote communication
medium, such as a serial port cable, telephone line or radio
frequency transceiver. In one embodiment, the CS 400 may comprise
one or more devices that are connected to a remote server computer
for maintaining databases.
The memory 415 stores a program 420 for controlling the processor
405. The processor 405 performs instructions of the program 420,
and thereby operates in accordance with at least some of the
methods described in detail herein. The program 420 may be stored
in a compressed, uncompiled and/or encrypted format. The program
420 furthermore includes program elements that may be necessary,
such as an operating system, a database management system and
"device drivers" for allowing the processor 405 to interface with
computer peripheral devices. Appropriate program elements are known
to those skilled in the art, and need not be described in detail
herein. The program 420 may include computer program code that
allows the CS 400 to employ the communication port 410 to
communicate with a GD 315 and/or an AS 310 in order to, for
example: 1. track gambling or other activity performed at the GD;
2. instruct a GD to generate a plurality of outcomes in accordance
with one or more parameters; 3. receive an indication of a
plurality of outcomes generated by a GD; 4. transmit an indication
of a plurality of outcomes generate by a GD to an AS; 5. receive an
indication of a DVD of outcomes that is available for sale; 6.
receive a request from a player to create a DVD of outcomes; 7.
instruct a gaming device to perform one or more functions (e.g.,
output a message to a player, interrupt play, etc.); 8. authorize a
sale of a DVD to a player; 9. authorize a redemption of a DVD by a
player; and/or 10. determine an activity status of a GD.
According to some embodiments, CS 400 may be operable to perform
some of the processes (or portions thereof) described herein. For
example, CS 400 may be operable to perform at least a portion of
the process 100 (described with respect to FIG. 1, above), and/or
any other process described herein.
According to an embodiment, the instructions of the program 420 may
be read into a main memory from another computer-readable medium,
such from a ROM to RAM. Execution of sequences of the instructions
in program 420 causes processor 405 to perform the process steps
described herein. In alternate embodiments, hard-wired circuitry
may be used in place of, or in combination with, software
instructions for implementation of the processes of the present
invention. Thus, embodiments of the present invention are not
limited to any specific combination of hardware and software.
The memory 415 also stores (i) a session database 425; (ii) a
gaming device database 430; (iii) an active sessions database 435;
and (iv) an available DVDs database 440.
In some embodiments (e.g., in an embodiment in which CS 400 manages
downloadable games playable on one or more GDs), the memory 415 may
store additional databases. Examples of such additional databases
include, but are not limited to, (i) a game database that stores
information regarding one or more games playable on and/or
downloadable to one or more GDs, and (ii) a scheduling and/or
configuration database useful for determining which games are to be
made available on which GDs at what times. In other embodiments,
some or all of these functions may be handled by a device distinct
from CS 400.
Similarly, in one embodiment CS 400 may be operable to configure a
GD (and/or another device, such as a kiosk, POS, CDP, etc.)
remotely, update software stored on a GD and/or to download
software or software components to a GD. For example, CS 400 may be
operable to apply a hot fix to software stored on a GD, modify a
payout and/or probability table stored on a GD and/or transmit a
new version of software and/or a software component to a GD. The CS
400 may be programmed to perform any or all of the above functions
based on, for example, an occurrence of an event (e.g., a scheduled
event), receiving an indication from a qualified casino employee
and/or other person (e.g., a regulator) and/or receiving a request
from a player. In other embodiments, some or all of these functions
may be handled by a device distinct from CS 400.
Although the databases 425 through 440 are described as being
stored in a memory of CS 400, in other embodiments some or all of
these databases may be partially or wholly stored, in lieu of or in
addition to being stored in a memory of CS 400, in a memory of one
or more other devices. Such one or more other devices may comprise,
for example, one or more peripheral devices, one or more GDs, an
AS, a slot server (if different from the CS 400), another device,
or a combination thereof. Further, some or all of the data
described as being stored in the memory 415 may be partially or
wholly stored (in addition to or in lieu of being stored in the
memory 415) in a memory of one or more other devices. Such one or
more other devices may comprise, for example, one or more
peripheral devices, one or more GDs, an AS, a slot server (if
different from CS 400), another device, or a combination
thereof.
The processor 405 is also operable to communicate with one or more
input devices 445. An input device may comprise any device operable
to facilitate input to the CS 400 (e.g., input by a person, such as
a keyboard or mouse). An input device, as the term is used herein,
may be any device, element or component (or combination thereof)
that is capable of receiving an input (e.g., from a player or
another device). An input device may communicate with or be part of
another device (e.g. an AS, a GD, etc.). Some examples of input
devices include: a bar-code scanner, a magnetic stripe reader, a
computer keyboard or keypad, a button (e.g., mechanical,
electromechanical or "soft", as in a portion of a touch-screen), a
handle, a keypad, a touch-screen, a microphone, an infrared sensor,
a voice recognition module, a coin or bill acceptor, a sonic
ranger, a computer port, a video camera, a motion detector, a
digital camera, a network card, a universal serial bus (USB) port,
a GPS receiver, a radio frequency identification (RFID) receiver,
an RF receiver, a thermometer, a pressure sensor, an infrared port,
and a weight scale. For example, in one embodiment an authorized
person may use an input device 445 to program or re-program CS 400
to perform a function and/or to write data to one of the databases
stored in memory 415.
The processor 405 is further operable to communicate with one or
more output devices 450. An output device may comprise any device
operable to output information from the CS 400. An output device,
as the term is used herein, may be any device, element or component
(or combination thereof) that is capable of providing or outputting
an output (e.g., to a person or another device). Examples of an
output device include, but are not limited to, a display (e.g., in
the form of a touch screen), an audio speaker, an infra-red
transmitter, a radio transmitter, an electric motor, a printer, a
coupon or product dispenser, an infra-red port, a Braille computer
monitor, and a coin or bill dispenser.
In some embodiments, CS 400 may comprise components capable of
facilitating both input and output functions (i.e., input/output
devices). In one example, a touch-sensitive display screen
comprises an input/output device (e.g., the device outputs graphics
and receives selections from an authorized person).
In embodiments wherein the tangible media comprises a DVD, such a
disc may be formatted according to a DVD encoding process as is
known in the art. For example, one or more media files may be
segmented into "chapters" that are individually accessible by
players. For example, a DVD having recorded thereon a video
presentation of a 1,000-game play session may be segregated into 20
chapters of 50 game plays each that a player may watch. In another
example, each media file (i.e., game play) may be encoded as its
own chapter, such that a player may use an "enter" button of a DVD
player remote control much like a "spin" button of a slot machine,
launching each video presentation or segment of a video
presentation much like actuating a game play of a slot machine. It
should be noted that one advantage of such a DVD format of creating
a video presentation is that many of the convenient navigation
features associated with watching video using a DVD player may be
harnessed. For example, a player may stop, pause, fast-forward or
rewind the video presentation, or skip chapters entirely.
In embodiments wherein physical media comprises a CD-ROM, a video
presentation may be incorporated into a software program that is
executable by a purchaser of a session using a computing device.
Thus, in some embodiments, creating a video presentation may
comprise creating an executable software application. For example,
creating a video presentation may comprise creating a software
program that lets purchasers of sessions interact with the video
presentation in a similar manner to a software application of an
online casino using a home computer. For example, a purchaser of a
session may insert a CD-ROM into an appropriate drive of a home
computer, and then click on a graphic of a "spin" button when he
desires to view another outcome (e.g., the software program written
to the CD-ROM is operable to receive user input, and based on the
input, access and display a stored media file as is known in the
art). Various software applications that may at least assist in the
creation of such DVD and CD-ROM discs may be available
commercially. In some embodiments, the user receives data that
represents the outcome and a software program, which may or may not
be delivered on the same media as the outcomes, and which animate a
video presentation.
It should be noted that, in some embodiments, the order in which
media files are written to tangible media and/or stored
electronically in a database or other memory structure may be
immaterial (e.g., such that a player later viewing outcomes
remotely may not necessarily watch them in the order in which they
were generated). For example, media files of a video presentation
may appear in a random order.
It should also be noted that, in some embodiments, a GD comprises a
"simplified gaming device" or SGD. An SGD, as the term is used
herein, may comprise a device operable to generate an outcome based
on a random number but that is not designed to be located on a
casino floor for interaction with a player. For example, an SGD may
be programmed to perform functions different from that of a more
conventional type of GD and/or to not perform some of the functions
conventionally performed by a GD (e.g., display an indication of an
outcome determined based on a random number). Further, a SGD may
include components different from those normally included in a more
conventional type of GD and/or fewer such components. For example,
in some embodiments an SGD may not include a benefit output device
and/or player tracking device. For example, in some embodiments
Applicants envision that a plurality of outcomes for storage and
sale via a DVD may be generated by a SGD that comprises a processor
running in conjunction with an emulator of a wagering game, the SGD
being located in a location other than a casino floor frequented by
players. Such an SGD may not, for example, include a cabinet
designed to attract a player and may not be operable to output
coins, tokens or other benefits. Such an SGD may, however, be
programmed to generate a large number of outcomes (e.g.,
substantially simultaneously) without displaying any of the
outcomes so generated, which is unlike a conventional type of
gaming device.
3. Databases
Various databases may be useful in one or more embodiments. One
such database is shown in FIG. 5, which illustrates an example
structure and sample contents of an available DVDs database 500.
The specific data and fields illustrated in FIG. 5 represents only
some embodiments of the records that may be stored in the database.
The data and fields of such a database can be readily modified, for
example, to include more or fewer data fields. A single database
that is a combination of multiple databases, or a configuration
that utilizes multiple databases may also be employed. Note that in
the database 500, a different reference numeral is employed to
identify each field. However, in at least one embodiment, fields
that are similarly named (e.g., session identifier fields) may
store similar or the same data in a similar or in the same data
format.
As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the schematic
illustration and accompanying descriptions of data contained in the
sample database presented herein is an exemplary arrangement for
stored representations of information. Any number of other
arrangements may be employed besides those suggested by the table
shown. For example, the embodiments described herein could be
practiced effectively using more functionally equivalent databases.
Similarly, the illustrated entries of the database represent
exemplary information only; those skilled in the art will
understand that the number and content of the entries can be
different from those illustrated herein. Further, despite the
depiction of the database as a table, an object-based model could
be used to store and manipulate the data types of one or more
embodiments and likewise, object methods or behaviors can be used
to implement the processes of one or more embodiments.
FIG. 5 is a tabular representation 500 of an example embodiment of
an available DVDs database 440 (e.g., as it may be stored in a
memory of a CS 400 and/or in a memory of another device). Tabular
representation 500 is referred to herein as available DVDs database
500.
The available DVDs database 500 includes a number of example
records or entries, including records R500-1 through R500-5, each
defining a DVD that is available for purchase or that was available
for purchase. Those skilled in the art will understand that the
available DVDs database 500 may include any number of entries. The
available DVDs database 500 also defines fields for each of the
entries or records. The fields specify: (i) a disc identifier 505
that uniquely identifies a DVD; (ii) a redemption value 510 that
indicates a payment that may be provided to a player who purchases
the corresponding DVD, upon redemption of the DVD; (iii) a price
515 to be paid by a player for the DVD; (iv) a date sold 520 that
indicates a date and/or time on which the corresponding DVD was
sold; (v) an activation code 525 that may be provided, in some
embodiments, to a player upon the player purchasing the DVD; (vi) a
player identifier 530 that identifies a player who purchases the
corresponding DVD (in some embodiments DVDs may be purchased
anonymously and this information may not be stored); and (vii) a
status 535 of the DVD (e.g., an indication of whether the DVD is
"available" for purchase or otherwise available to be provided to a
player, has been "purchased" or otherwise provided to a player, or
has been "redeemed" such that the redemption value of the DVD, if
any, has been provided to a player).
The available DVDs database 500 may be utilized, for example, to
track DVDs available for purchase at a casino. For example, as a
DVD is provided by AS 310 or otherwise made available for sale or
other provision to a player, a new record may be created in the
database based on the unique DVD identifier of the DVD. The
redemption value associated with the DVD may also be recorded in
the newly created record (e.g., the redemption value that
corresponds to the DVD identifier may be received from AS 310). The
status of the DVD may be set to "available."
In one embodiment, the available DVDs database 500 may be utilized
again when a player requests to purchase a DVD. For example, the
database may be queried based on the DVD identifier on the
packaging of the DVD that the player desires to purchase. This may
be initiated by a casino attendant, for example, who also inspects
a tamper evident item associated with the DVD which will be
described below. It may be verified that the DVD has not previously
been purchased, based on the status 535 associated with the DVD in
the database. Further, an activation code may be determined (e.g.,
by CS 305, which may generate or select an activation code for each
DVD as it is sold via a POS 320) and the activation code may be
recorded in the appropriate record of the available DVDs database.
For example, POS 320 may communicate with CS 305 in order to
determine the activation code and verify that the DVD is available
for purchase.
It should be noted that an activation code may, in some
embodiments, be necessary to activate a DVD (e.g., the player may
be required to input the activation code when inserting the DVD
into a DVD player). In other embodiments, the activation code may
only be necessary for redemption of the DVD but not for viewing the
video presentation of the DVD. The activation code may also be
printed on a receipt such as a wagering game receipt that may be
provided to the player at the time of purchase of the DVD, or
otherwise provided to the player upon the DVD being provided to the
player in a legitimate manner.
In some embodiments, a DVD may be encoded with an activation code
that is required before the video presentation stored on that game
disc can be accessed and displayed. For example, some DVDs
containing movies thereon currently include region codes that
prevent those DVDs from being played on a DVD player that was sold
in a country other than that in which the DVD was released. The DVD
player has a region code stored in its firmware, and the code
stored on the DVD must match the DVD player code to enable that DVD
player to play the movie. Movie studios use such region code
protection to thwart unauthorized duplication of their copyrighted
material and to control the worldwide release dates of their movies
released on DVDs. Similar technology could be implemented in DVD
players or other tangible medium player devices that include
software, for example, that requires input of an activation code
before a game disc could be played. The activation code may be
provided to a player at the point of sale and then, when the player
later attempts to view the game disc, the player may be prompted to
input the activation code to the playing device by using, for
example, a remote control or keyboard. In some implementations, the
player may use a DVD-ROM drive connected to her PC to view a game
disc. Before any outcomes are shown, the PC prompts the player to
input the activation code which is then transmitted, for example,
over a network (such as the internet), or via a secure line, to a
CS (or, in another example, to the game disc manufacturer's server)
and compared to a database of activation codes. If a match occurs,
then the game disc outcomes are unlocked to enable the gaming
outcomes to be displayed to the player. If the activation code
provided by the player does not match the code stored in the
database, then an error message may be displayed.
The available DVDs database 500 may be accessed yet again when a
player attempts to redeem a DVD (e.g., collect the redemption value
associated with the DVD). For example, as described in detail
herein, it may be verified that the DVD was legitimately purchased
and that the DVD has not previously been redeemed (e.g., the status
associated with the DVD is "purchased"). The payout information
(and perhaps the DVD price information) may then be transmitted to
a casino representative, for example, so that the player can
collect her prize or award.
4. Processes
FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an example process 600 for creating a DVD.
The process 600 is meant as an overview of the process of creating
a DVD and does not include many detailed steps or sub-routines that
may be involved in such a process. Several figures that follow
illustrate more detailed example processes for creating, selling,
and redeeming a DVD.
Referring to FIG. 6, step 605 provides for determining the desired
parameters for a DVD to be created. For example, an order for a DVD
and/or session result data may be received. In one embodiment, some
or all of the information in a session database 425 may be
communicated in step 605 as an indication of the parameters of the
DVD to be created.
Examples of parameters that may be determined in step 605 include,
without limitation, (i) a price of the DVD (which may, in some
embodiments, be the starting credit meter balance of the session
based on which the DVD is to be created; (ii) a game; (ii) a gaming
device; (iii) a casino; (iv) a payout schedule; (v) a strategy to
be employed in making decisions on behalf of a player; (vi) an
ending credit meter balance; (vii) one or more intermediate credit
meter balances; (viii) a number of game plays or outcomes to be
represented; (ix) a wager per game play; (x) outcomes to be
represented; (xi) an order of outcomes to be represented; (xii)
advertisements, promotional or other material to be included in the
video presentation to be included on the DVD; (xiii) audio to be
included on the DVD; (xiv) a language preference in which the
material in the DVD is to be presented; and/or (xv) one or more
payouts to be represented on the DVD. It should be understood that
some of the above items may be redundant with other items. It
should further be understood that not all of the above-listed
parameters are required to be known in order to create a DVD.
It should still further be understood that, in some embodiments,
some of the parameters (and values thereof may be determined by a
first device (e.g., CS 305) and transmitted to a second device
(e.g., AS 310) performing step 605, while other parameters (and
values thereof may be determined directly by the second device. The
second device may determine such additional parameters (and values
thereof, for example, based on information received from the first
device and/or based on a program or instructions stored in a memory
of the second device.
In other embodiments, all of the parameters (and values thereof may
be determined by the first device and transmitted to the second
device, the second device having minimal processing capabilities
and merely serving to assemble the video presentation and record it
onto a DVD.
In step 610, the DVD is queued for production. For example, a
record may be created in a DVD production queue. For example, a
unique disc identifier may be determined and used to create a new
record. At least some of the parameters determined in step 605 (and
values thereof) may be stored in the record. The disc identifier
may be placed in a DVD production queue. A device for producing the
DVDs (or at least the device performing a first step in the
production process), such as AS 310, may select the DVDs to be
created on a first-come-first-serve basis (e.g., based on the order
submission time, based on the disc identifier, etc.).
In step 615 it is determined whether the DVD has been created. For
example, it may be determined whether a record for the DVD in a DVD
production queue database indicates that the production process for
the DVD has been completed. In a more particular example, a DVD
production queue database may be accessed to determine whether
there is an entry in a production completed time field.
If it is determined that the DVD has been created, the DVD is made
available for purchase in step 620. For example, the DVD may be
packaged to include at least one tamper evident item, and then
shipped as one of a plurality of DVDs intended for a particular
destination (e.g., a particular casino that may be identified in a
database) and shipped to the destination. Otherwise, the process
615 loops until it is determined that the DVD has been created.
In one embodiment, a secure facility may comprise one or more GDs
for producing game play results (e.g., MGDs that generate game play
results in an automated fashion, with little or no human
involvement). Additionally, such a facility may comprise various
hardware and software for producing DVDs based on the results
generated by the GDs. For example, an "assembly line" of
computerized and/or mechanized devices may be configured to (i)
store appropriate media content on DVDs based on game play results
generated by the GDs, (ii) label such DVDs, (iii) package such DVDs
(e.g., including adding barcodes, graphics, tamper evident items,
insert the DVDs into jewel cases, etc.) and/or (iv) shrink-wrap
such packaging. Thus, such a facility may comprise a variety of
devices, one or more of which may communicate with one or more
databases for determining necessary information for producing such
DVDs.
For example, each DVD may be unique (e.g., the game play results
thereof may be based on a session generated for that particular
DVD), and therefore when producing each DVD, it may be necessary
for various devices to communicate with one or more GDs (or
otherwise obtain data generated by one or more GDs) and/or
databases so as to determine appropriate content for the DVD. For
example, an assembly unit may comprise a computer system in
communication with a mechanized or robotic arm that accesses
physical media (e.g., lifts a "blank" DVD from a spindle of DVDs
and places it into an area in which the DVD may subsequently be
written to by an optical device). The computer system may also be
configured to instruct an optical device to encode the DVD with
various content (e.g., indications of game play results, a menu
interface, etc.). The computer system itself may or may not
generate the game play results that are used to determine the
content for the DVD. Accordingly, the assembly unit (e.g., the
computer system in communication with the mechanized hardware,
optical device, etc.) may communicate with one or more devices
and/or databases that store session results and/or media files for
creating a video presentation to be recorded onto a DVD. It should
be understood that one or more sets of DVDs, wherein each set
includes a plurality of DVDs, may be manufactured. Each DVD of a
set contains the same wagering game outcomes (or the same session),
and upon purchase of the DVD the purchaser receives a wagering game
receipt, for example, that specifies which outcome or outcomes of
the session on that DVD correspond to a payout, if any.
In some embodiments, a facility for producing DVDs may further be
configured to uniquely mark the packaging or labeling of such DVDs
with one or more identifiers or codes. For example, a session
identifier, player identifier, and/or activation code may be
uniquely marked on the packaging or labeling of a DVD, such that
the code or identifier may be used to facilitate various steps
described herein with respect to the sale, activation and
redemption of such DVDs. Thus, in one example, after a DVD has been
uniquely encoded with content by a first assembly unit, the DVD may
then be transferred to one or more second assembly units that may
assist in the labeling and/or packaging of the DVD. For example, a
second assembly unit may comprise a computer system in
communication with various hardware for applying graphics or other
labeling to the top side of a DVD (e.g., a pressing unit applies
permanent color or grayscale images to the top side of the DVD).
Such a unit may then communicate with one or more databases, such
that one or more identifiers associated with the DVD may then be
determined (e.g., a "Disc Activation Number"). In one embodiment, a
master computer system may keep track of each DVD's position within
a series of assembly units, such that when a DVD reaches a second
assembly unit, the unit may be instructed to label the DVD with one
or more identifiers. In another example, the unit may determine an
identifier by reading the DVD (e.g., if the DVD was previously
encoded with an identifier). In either case, the identifier may
then be marked upon the DVD. In some embodiments, the identifier
may be machine-readable (e.g., a barcode is labeled upon the top of
the DVD). Alternately or additionally, a human-readable identifier
may be labeled upon the DVD (e.g., a numeric code is imprinted). In
some embodiments, the labeled and encoded DVD may then be
transported to one or more further assembly units. For example, yet
another assembly unit may be responsible for inserting the DVD into
a jewel case, for associating one or more tamper evident items with
the DVD, and/or for shrink-wrapping a jewel case, etc. Other
processes such as printing packaging materials (e.g., paper inserts
or other paper materials that accompany jewel cases) may or may not
take place in such a facility. For example, in one embodiment, a
separate press may receive instructions for imprinting a paper
cover to be inserted into a jewel case with graphics and a unique
identifier (e.g., associated with a particular DVD). The paper
cover may then later be merged and/or otherwise incorporated into
such an assembly process (e.g., the cover is matched to a jewel
case containing the appropriate DVD).
It should be noted that various efforts may be made to ensure that
the production of video presentations and/or DVDs on which such
video presentations are recorded in such an automated facility
occurs without tampering. For example, such devices and/or various
components thereof may be equipped with items and/or devices that
indicate whether physical tampering has occurred (e.g., the casing
of a device for generating game play results may include a
tamper-evident seal). In other embodiments, a central computer or
server may authenticate or verify that the software of a device has
not been tampered with, via a checksum or one or more other such
authentication procedures known in the art.
In some embodiments, to help ensure fairness of production of DVDs,
an operator of a system producing DVDs and/or video presentations
may certify a payback percentage for an aggregate number of DVDs
(e.g., DVDs are produced in a manner such that for every 1,000 DVDs
made, the 1,000 DVDs will on average pay out a certain sum to
customers). In some embodiments wherein a set of DVDs (wherein the
set may comprise 1000 DVDs, for example) all contain the same
session, the payback percentage for the set may be certified and
the wagering game receipts provided to players when they purchase a
DVD may then be printed in such manner that the guaranteed payback
percentage is met. It should be appreciated that methods for
auditing such claims are well known in the art (e.g., much as how a
slot machine payback percentage is audited).
FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an example process 700 for creating a DVD.
In step 705, an order for a DVD is received. For example, an order
from a casino for a plurality of DVDs may be received
electronically and/or via paper or other tangible medium. For
example, a casino or other customer may transmit session result
data for a plurality of sessions, thus ordering a DVD corresponding
to each of the sessions. In some embodiments, an order may specify
that a plurality of DVDs be created based on session result data
for a particular session. In one example, the session result data
of an order may be transmitted to AS 310 electronically or be
called in by a casino representative. In another example, a
document corresponding to one or more of the sessions may be
received. For example, as described herein, in some embodiments one
or more session results tickets may be printed by a GD for a
session executed by the GD. In one embodiment, step 705 may include
receiving the session results tickets (or copies thereof) for each
session included in the order. In some embodiments, each session
may be received as a separate order.
In step 710 a template is determined for the final DVD. As would be
understood by one of ordinary skill in the art of producing DVDs, a
template for a DVD may include an indication of information to be
included in the DVD and may include items that are constant across
a batch of DVDs. A template may further include programming
commands (pause here, skip to there if this button is pushed, etc.)
for manipulating the assets (i.e., content) of the DVD. In some
embodiments, the same template may be used for all DVDs of the same
game, casino, number of game plays and wager per game play. Thus,
there may be a plurality of templates stored in a memory (e.g., a
memory of AS 310) and step 710 may comprise selecting the
appropriate template for use, based on the session result
information determined in step 705. A particular template may
include, for example, an opening menu design, buttons, graphics,
and advertising material. In some embodiments, some of the data in
a template may be variable (e.g., a first advertisement may be
selected for inclusion in an advertising portion of a first DVD
while a second advertisement may be selected for inclusion in an
advertising portion of a second DVD).
In step 715, a record for the DVD of the order is created in a
database such as a DVD production queue database. A record in the
DVD production queue database may be created based on the receipt
of the order. For example, a unique order number may be determined
(e.g., the order number may be received as part of the order or
assigned to the order upon the order being received) and stored in
the newly created record. The customer identifier for the order may
also be recorded. A disc identifier may be determined and stored as
well. Additional information regarding parameters of the DVD to be
created may also be determined from the session result information
of the order and stored in the record (e.g., game brand, casino,
denomination, wager per game play, payout schedule, number of game
plays, starting credit meter balance, end credit meter balance,
session identifier). The order submission time (e.g., the time at
which the order was received) may also be stored.
In step 720, the DVD is created via a production process that may
comprise one or more steps. The steps may comprise, for example,
creating a video presentation to be recorded onto the DVD, and
recording the video presentation onto the DVD. In some embodiments,
as a DVD proceeds through a production process having several
steps, the appropriate record of the DVD production queue database
is updated upon the completion of each step, to track the progress
of the DVD creation.
In step 725 a label is printed for the DVD. This may involve, for
example, determining a graphics image and printing it onto the
label or onto the DVD itself. The label may further include unique
information such as a unique disc identifier or a session
identifier. In some embodiments, the label may include an
indication of the game and/or casino represented in the video
presentation of the DVD.
In step 730 the DVD is inserted into packaging. The DVD may be
packaged such that tampering with the DVD (e.g., unauthorized
opening of the DVD) is visible or otherwise easily discernable by a
casino representative, for example, as will be explained below.
In step 735 it is determined that the DVD has been successfully
created and the order is marked as ready for shipment. For example,
a production completed time field in a database may be updated to
reflect the time at which the production process was completed,
thus marking the DVD (or record of the DVD) to reflect that the DVD
is ready for shipment.
Pre-Packaged Discs and Security
In some embodiments, it may be advantageous for a casino to place
pre-packaged game discs in various locations throughout a casino
floor, such that should a player wish to purchase a disc, all the
player need to do is pick up a disc and bring the disc to an
appropriate location within the casino and provide payment. The
disc may then be activated as described. Such embodiments may also
be advantageous, for example when pre-packaged discs are maintained
behind counters or in some other manner that mitigates the ability
of players to purchase the discs on impulse.
Thus, as described previously, discs must be activated before they
are redeemed, and an activation code or validation code that is
provided when the DVD is purchased (e.g., a "Prize Claim Code" or a
"wagering game receipt") must be presented for a player to collect
any winnings associated with the disc (e.g., discs are worthless
unless they are activated, and to be activated, payment must be
provided). In this manner, theft of discs by casino patrons may be
deterred or even prevented altogether, as patrons may understand
that payment must be provided in one form or another in order for
winnings to be claimed.
However, it is foreseen that various other fraudulent attempts to
claim winnings associated with pre-packaged discs outside of theft
may arise. For example, if a player were somehow able to view (i)
game result data and/or (ii) indications of game results associated
with a plurality of pre-packaged game discs (e.g., the player is
able to view a plurality of discs before deciding to purchase one
or more of the discs), the player may be able to determine which
discs may be profitable (e.g., yield a final credit balance that is
larger than the flat price associated with the disc) before
purchasing the discs. Accordingly, the player may attempt, after
viewing a plurality of discs, to purchase only the discs that are
known to be profitable, discarding the others or otherwise leaving
them unsold. Such a practice may clearly have negative implications
on the ability of a casino to offer such discs in a profitable
manner (e.g., as a casino may be forced to pay out large amounts of
winnings without collecting sufficiently overriding revenues from
the sale of the discs that do not pay out large amounts or do not
pay out any amount). Accordingly, various embodiments of deterrent
measures are contemplated for (i) restricting player access to game
result data used for creating one or more game discs, and/or (ii)
determining whether or not a player has performed any action that
may constitute an attempt to view a game disc, and if the player
has viewed or attempted to view the disc, making the disc
unavailable for purchase.
Various methods are contemplated for restricting player access to
game result data used for creating one or more game discs. For
example, one or more devices used to generate such game results, or
used to create one or more game discs based on such game results
(e.g., determine and/or output indications of game results), may be
maintained or secured in a manner such that players (or, for that
matter, other persons) may have difficulty gaining access to such
devices (e.g., without proper clearance). For example, one or more
of such devices may be stored in a room that only authorized
personnel may access (e.g., persons with appropriate keys, entry
codes, etc.). In another example, such devices may be housed in a
secure case, safe, or the like. Further, in some embodiments, such
devices may include various tamper-evident objects. For example, as
described, a device may include a tamper-evident seal that reveals
whether or not the device (e.g., or case thereof) has been opened.
In one specific example, security tape (or a "security sticker,"
"security label," and so on) may be adhered to a device in such a
manner that the tape must be removed in order to gain access to the
device's internal components. However, such security tape may
reveal a tamper indication if it is removed (or, in some instances,
attempted to be removed). For example, if such tape is peeled, or
is exposed to extreme heat or cold, such tape may reveal the word
"opened" (e.g., on the tape, on the object it is attached to, or
both), indicating that the tape has been tampered with. One example
of such tape, SECURE TRAC, is produced by Switched On I & T
Services of Braeside, Victoria, Australia.
A variety of methods for determining whether or not a player has
performed any action that may constitute an attempt to fraudulently
view a game disc are also contemplated (e.g., thereby making the
disc unavailable for purchase/activation). For example, in one or
more embodiments, a tamper-evident seal may be adhered to the back
side (i.e., readable side) of a game disc. Such a seal would
ideally be characterized by several properties: (i) the seal may be
adhered to the back of the disc in a manner such that it may not be
removed unless such removal is desired (e.g., the adhesive property
is strong enough that the seal doesn't "fall off" without being
voluntarily removed by a person); (ii) the seal may be adhered to
the back of the disc in a manner such that if the seal is removed,
the disc may still be readable by an optical device (e.g., residue
from any adhesive from the seal does not corrupt the disc or render
it unreadable); (iii) when the seal is attached, the disc may not
be readable (e.g., the chemical composition of the seal is such
that an optical laser of a reader device such as a DVD player may
be incapable of reading the disc while the seal is attached); (iv)
once the seal is removed, it is (a) difficult to reapply to the
disc (e.g., upon being removed, the seal loses its adhesive
property), (b) difficult to reapply to the disc without altering
the seal in such a manner that it becomes discernable by the naked
eye that the seal was removed and re-adhered (e.g., the removal of
the seal alters or distorts the seal such that it may become
difficult to smoothly and uniformly reapply the seal), (c)
discernable by the naked eye that the seal has been removed (e.g.,
a tamper-evident indicator is activated such that a property of the
seal changes).
FIGS. 8A and 8B show a game disc 800, which may be a DVD, for
example, and a static-cling seal 810 (or "static adhesive seal," or
"static cling decal," or "static cling label," and the like). The
DVD 800 may include graphics and/or other game descriptive markings
on the front or top side (which may be a non-readable side)
thereof. In some embodiments, the static-cling seal 810 may be
applied to the rear or back or bottom (i.e., readable) side of the
disc 800. Such a seal may, in some embodiments, be comprised of
vinyl, polyester or a variety of other materials or combinations of
materials such that the seal may inhibit the ability of an optical
reader device or other type of reader device to read the disc while
the seal is attached. Further, the seal may be adhered in a variety
of manners. In one example, the seal 810 may be constructed of a
material that adheres to a disc by way of natural static cling,
without the need for a tacky adhesive that may leave behind a
sticky residue or otherwise corrupt a readable side of a disc. A
variety of materials for producing such static cling decals or
seals are commercially available (e.g., "window decals" as are
known in the art). Of course, in some embodiments, game discs 800
may comprise two readable sides, and thus two seals may be used.
Further, in some embodiments, such seals may include a tab 815, to
enable easy removal of the seal when the player wishes to use the
disc. It should be noted that the tab 815 may also function to
inhibit the ability of an optical reader device to read a game disc
such as DVD 800 while the seal 810 is attached (e.g., the tab 815
prevents the disc from spinning at an appropriate, uniform speed
within a reader device such as a DVD player).
FIG. 8C is an embodiment of a tamper-evident static-cling seal 820
that includes a tab portion 825 and a barcode 830. In some
embodiments, such a seal may be tamper-evident at least in part
because upon removal of the seal from either a readable side or a
non-readable side of a game disc, one or more properties of the
seal are altered such that a tamper indication 835 is revealed. In
this example, upon removal of the seal 820 from the disc (e.g.,
exposure of the adhered side to air, removal of a thin layer of the
seal, etc.), the word "VOID" in text and/or graphics appears in a
repeating pattern which indicates that the seal has been removed
(other words such as "REMOVED," "INVALID," "WARNING," and the like
could also be used.). Of course, various other properties of the
seal may change such that a visual indication of tampering is
evident, and in response to a variety of other triggers (e.g.,
actions other than removal of the seal). For example, rather than
display text, a color associated with a seal may change. Moreover,
exposure to heat, cold, humidity, pressure, or moisture may trigger
one or more changes. A variety of commercially available
tamper-evident labeling technologies may be used in the creation of
such a seal. For example, Brady Identification and Safety Solutions
of Sydney, Australia, manufactures a B-7566 tamper-evident seal
which reveals the word "VOID" upon removal of the label, and
similar technology may be used in producing a tamper-evident seal
for the purposes described herein.
Referring again to FIG. 8C, the seal 820 includes a barcode 830.
Such a barcode 830 (which may incorporate dense symbology and/or
microprinting technology) may encode an identifier associated with
the game disc and/or gaming contract or session associated with the
disc, and/or game result data associated with the disc (e.g., a
final session balance or a final credit balance), and so on. Thus,
in an embodiment, a representative may scan the barcode and remove
the seal to activate the disc. As described, in some embodiments, a
validation code or activation code may then be determined and
output (e.g., a purchase receipt or wagering game receipt
indicating a "Prize Claim Code" and/or other information is output
via a printer device) based on the received identifier. Further,
printing or labeling such a seal with a barcode may further have a
security benefit because once the seal 820 is removed, it may
become difficult or impossible to scan and/or to read the barcode
(e.g., if the seal is relatively flimsy or malleable in nature,
then when it is removed the seal may distort or tear such that the
barcode becomes crooked, cracked, distorted, or otherwise
unreadable). Consequently, if the barcode is required to activate
the disc, it may be impossible or difficult for players to
fraudulently view such discs without first having them activated by
a cashier at a POS, for example.
FIG. 9A is a top view and FIG. 9B is a side view of a jewel case
900 in two different opened positions. The jewel case 900 may be
used to house a game disc, such as a DVD 800 or a CD-ROM, for
example. The jewel case 900 includes a top face or cover 905 that
typically is made of a transparent material, and a tray 910 for
seating a tangible medium such as DVD 800. The tray 910 may be made
of a durable plastic, rubber, metal, a composite, or other material
(e.g., cardboard or another paper compound). The cover 905 rotates
about a hinge 915 when opening or closing the jewel case 900, and
when in the closed position covers and protects the DVD seated in
the tray 910. In some embodiments, wherein a jewel case is made of
cardboard or another paper compound, hinge 915 may simply be a fold
in the packaging such that a cover may be folded over the tray
portion 910 of the jewel case. Referring to FIG. 9B, the tray 910
has a backside 920 that may be transparent or opaque, and includes
an edge portion 925 configured to mate with an edge 930 of the
cover 905. Tabs or other snap-fit connector components (not shown),
for example, may be included on the edge portions 925 and 930 or on
other edges of the cover 905 and/or the tray 910, for use in
removably connecting the cover and the tray together when the jewel
case 900 is in a closed position.
The jewel case 900 may itself include a tamper-evident seal on one
or more outside surfaces, and may include a transparent portion so
that the tamper-evident seal on the DVD may be visible. The
transparent portion thus makes it possible to determine whether or
not the seal on the DVD seated on the tray has been tampered with
without opening the jewel case and without removing the disc from
the packaging. For example, in one or more embodiments, at least a
portion of the back side 915 of the jewel case may be comprised of
transparent (e.g., clear) plastic, such that the bottom side of a
game disc 800 placed inside the jewel case may be visible to a
cashier or other person without the need to remove the disc from
the jewel case. The jewel case may also be shrink-wrapped in a
transparent plastic covering. In this case, it would be possible
for the cashier to observe whether or not a tamper-evident seal
affixed to the game disc has been removed or altered without having
to open the jewel case and remove the disc.
In an embodiment, a jewel case or portion thereof (e.g., the
backside 915 of the case) is made of transparent or clear plastic,
and various marketing materials (e.g., made of paper, cardboard,
plastic, etc.) may be affixed thereto. The marketing materials may
include various text and/or graphics information that promotes game
discs, or promotes the particular wagering game on that DVD, or
provides instructions to players, and the like. Such marketing
materials may be affixed to the back of such a jewel case in a
manner such that at least a portion of a game disc 800 may still be
viewable through the clear plastic of the jewel case 900. FIG. 9C
illustrates an example of "marketing material" 950 that may be
inserted into the jewel case 900. The marketing material 950
includes promotional material 960 which may include graphics,
instructions and the like, and that is positioned to be visible
through a transparent face 905 of the jewel case 900. In the
example shown in FIG. 9C, a large portion of the readable side of
the game disc, and the game disc barcode, is visible through a
transparent portion 955 of the backside wall of the jewel case. It
should be understood that the jewel case 900 may be manufactured in
various proportions or dimensions other than the dimensions
indicated in FIGS. 9A to 9C (e.g., the size of the case may be
longer, wider, and/or thicker). In addition, the case may be
manufactured to have other shapes, such as round, oblong and the
like.
FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate a top view and a side view,
respectively of a DVD case 1000 in two different opened positions.
The DVD case 1000 may be used to house a game disc, such as a DVD
1000 or a CD-ROM. The DVD case 1000 includes a top face or cover
1005 and a tray 1010 for seating a tangible medium such as a DVD or
CD-ROM. In the embodiment shown, the cover 1005 rotates about a
hinge 1015 to open and to close the DVD case 1000. When the cover
1005 is in the closed position, it protects the DVD seated in the
tray 1010. Referring to FIG. 10B, the tray 1010 has a backside 1020
that may be transparent or opaque, and that includes an edge
portion 1025 configured to mate with an edge 1030 of the cover
1005. Tabs or other snap-fit connector components (not shown), for
example, may be included on the edge portions 1025 and 1030 or on
other edges of the cover 1005 and/or the tray 1010, for use to
removably connect the cover and the tray together when the DVD case
1000 is in a closed position.
The cover 1005 and the tray 1010 may be made of a durable plastic,
rubber, paper, cardboard, metal, fiberglass, a composite, or other
material. For example, the case may be a folded cardboard package
having a recessed portion for housing the tangible medium, such as
a DVD. In addition, other types of packaging, such as paper or
plastic slipcovers, pockets, or housings of other design, could be
utilized to encase and protect the gaming disc as desired. For
example, a star shaped plastic sleeve could be used to house game
discs, which shape could function to distinguish the DVD contained
therein from being associated with a movie or a recording of a
television show. It is also contemplated that special or custom
designed packages and associated marketing materials may be used,
for example, to commemorate special events such as anniversaries,
weddings, parties, and/or other celebrations.
In one or more other embodiments, a game disc such as the DVD 800
may be chemically treated in such a manner so as to inhibit a
player's ability to attempt to view indications of game results
without such an attempt being discernable. For example, in one
embodiment, a game disc may be treated with a transparent chemical
that, when exposed to oxygen, becomes opaque. For example, a game
disc may be treated with a chemical composition and then sealed
immediately in an airtight package. As long as the game disc is
sealed within the package, nothing is changed. However, once the
player removes the game disc from the packaging and exposes it to
oxygen, the game disc may only be readable only for a finite period
of time before the chemical composition causes a change that
results in the formation of an opaque substance that may inhibit or
nullify the ability of an optical reader device to read the game
disc. Such a change may additionally be accompanied by a change in
color of a readable side of the disc (e.g., from red to black),
adding a measure of visible and viewable evidence (i.e. from
outside the package) that the game disc packaging has been tampered
with and/or opened. Consequently, it may be difficult or impossible
for an opportunist to acquire a plurality of game discs and then to
view them before purchase, in an attempt to determine which ones
are "winners" before paying for them, because one or more of the
game discs will become unreadable and/or because one or more of the
game discs will change color. Flexplay.RTM., a product marketed by
The Convex Group, Inc., of Atlanta, Ga., is an example of such
technology. Examples of such methods are described in U.S.
Application No. 2005/0037181 to Lawandy and U.S. Application No.
2005/0058800 to Lawandy et al.; the entirety of both publications
are incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.
In another embodiment, a disc may be treated with an opaque
chemical at the time the disc is produced and packaged. A reactive
or catalytic chemical, such as a dissolvent solution, may then be
made available at a location at which game discs are activated and
sold. Thus, a player wishing to purchase such a game disc may bring
the disc (e.g., enclosed in packaging) to a representative such as
a casino cashier, who may then remove the packaging and apply the
reactive chemical to remove the opaque chemical, thus making the
game disc readable. It is contemplated that an automatic rinsing
device containing the reactive or catalytic chemical would be
available for use to remove the opaque chemical, which functions to
minimize any exposure and/or skin contact with the reactive
chemical. In this manner, game discs may be available on a casino
slot floor, for example, to players who may impulsively desire to
purchase them, though they may be unreadable unless such players
additionally acquire or otherwise utilize the reactive or catalytic
chemical, which may be much more closely monitored (e.g., stored in
a secure location or only available within an automatic rinsing
device).
Alternately or additionally, a variety of methods are contemplated
for determining whether or not a player has performed any action
that may constitute an attempt to fraudulently handle or view a
game disc, wherein the attempt may comprise opening a jewel case or
DVD case or other packaging associated with the game disc.
For example, one or more tamper-evident seals, labels or stickers
may be utilized in conjunction with such packaging. In a more
specific example, a tamper-evident seal, label, or sticker may be
applied to a jewel case in a manner such that the seal, label or
sticker must be removed, cut or otherwise altered to open the jewel
case and gain access to a game disc such as a DVD stored therein.
For example, FIGS. 9A, 9B, 10A and 10B illustrate two different
size cases (e.g., FIGS. 9A and 9B depict a common CD jewel case,
and FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate a typical DVD case that is larger
than the jewel case). In either configuration, a seal, label or
sticker may be attached such that at least one portion adheres to a
face of the case (such as face 905 or 1005) and another portion
adheres to a tray, holder and/or backside case portion (such as
backside 915 or 1015). In this manner, the case may not be opened
(e.g., the face is separated from the backside by action of the
hinge) without removing, cutting or otherwise altering the seal,
label or sticker. However, as described, removing or altering the
seal, label or sticker may result in a tamper indication (e.g., if
the sticker is peeled off and/or exposed to heat, moisture and/or
cold, characters and/or a residue remain on the packaging or appear
on the sticker, and the like). In this manner, it may be difficult
or impossible to open packaging associated with a game disc without
triggering a tamper indication, thereby inhibiting the ability of
an opportunist to purchase game discs which have been previously
opened and/or viewed (as tampering would be evident to a
representative, such as a casino cashier, who would then refuse to
sell and/or refuse to activate the game disc).
In some embodiments, the game disc and/or the packaging may include
a device configured to detect tampering that may incorporate, for
example, a radio frequency identification (RFID) transponder.
Various RFID transponder devices, or RFID tags, ranging in size,
power, and other characteristics, may be utilized. When the RFID
transponder is active, a receiver device may receive data from a
memory of the transponder when it enters a radio frequency field
emitted by the receiver device. RFID tags are currently used in
some retail stores, for example, to safeguard against shoplifting
of merchandise such as clothing, and research and development of
smaller, lightweight and low cost RFID tags is ongoing. In some
embodiments, the RFID receiver device may be positioned at a
location within a casino where game discs are activated and sold.
Accordingly, when a player desires to purchase a game disc, he may
bring the disc (enclosed in packaging) to the location, at which
point the RFID tag or transponder may transmit data to the RFID
receiver, so long as the transponder is functional and/or active. A
receiver may receive various types of data from a functional,
active transponder. For example, a memory of a transponder device
may store a unique identifier. Alternately or additionally, a
memory of a transponder may simply store data indicating that the
transponder device is active and/or functional (e.g., has not been
rendered non-functional, ineffective and/or broken). Accordingly, a
game disc and/or associated packaging may be brought to a point of
sale device where it is determined whether or not a transponder
device associated with the packaging is active and/or functional.
If the transponder device associated with the packaging is active
and/or functional, the associated game disc may then be sold and/or
activated.
Thus, in the embodiment described above, should a transponder
device become ineffective and/or non-functional, an associated game
disc may not be sold and/or activated. Various methods of rendering
such a transponder device ineffective and/or non-functional are
contemplated wherein the rendering of such a transponder device as
ineffective and/or non-functional coincides with an attempt by a
player to view a game disc or open associated packaging without
first purchasing the game disc. Several methods are contemplated
for accomplishing such an operation. In one example, the
transponder device may be incorporated into or affixed onto the
packaging in such manner that opening the packaging (e.g., opening
the jewel case) may break or otherwise disable a metal coil or
other substance (e.g., carbon conductive ink) that is functioning
as antennae for the transponder (e.g., once the jewel case is
opened, the RFID transponder is no longer able to effectively
transmit a signal to a receiver). When a player brings this game
disc to a POS, the receiver will not be able to pick up a signal
and the cashier will then refuse to sell and/or to activate the
game disc. In another example, the transponder device may be
rendered ineffective without necessarily physically breaking a
component of the transponder device. For example, various devices
may be positioned around the exits of a casino that may function to
corrupt a memory of such a transponder device. For example, such
devices may emit a magnetic field of a certain radius, and should a
transponder device enter such a radius, the memory of such a
transponder device may be deleted, corrupted or otherwise rendered
non-usable. In this manner, if a player brings a game disc
off-premises without first purchasing the disc, the transponder is
ineffective or non-functional (e.g., a memory is no longer
functional and/or no longer contains data necessary for purchase),
such that an attempt to purchase that game disc at a later time
will be denied. In another example, receiver devices may be
positioned near all exits of a casino floor so that any attempt to
remove a game disc from the casino floor without deactivating the
RFID transponder results in an alarm going off. The alarm may be,
for example, a visual and/or audio signal that would erupt and be
apparent to casino personnel as well as patrons of the casino, or
may be a silent alarm that alerts security personnel who may be
located within or outside of the casino.
In one embodiment, one or more RFID receivers may be placed in
various locations throughout a casino property to track the
movement of game discs and/or to track the associated packaging.
For example, a receiver may be placed in every trash bin, to track
game discs that have been thrown away by casino patrons. Receivers
may also be placed at other locations, such as casino property
entrances and/or exits, points of sale, or points of game disc
and/or packaging distribution. In some embodiments, such a system
may determine a percentage of game discs (e.g., all manufactured
discs, all purchased discs, all inactive discs, etc.) within (or
not within) range of various receivers. For example, such a system
may determine that more than 5% of all game discs are currently not
within range of any receiver on a casino floor. Such data may be
useful to determine the behavior of purchasers or potential
purchasers of such discs such that certain areas of the casino
property may be "stocked" with lesser or greater amounts of (e.g.,
inactive) game discs. For example, if more than 20% of game discs
stocked in a particular gaming room end up being tossed aside or
thrown into trash bins instead of being purchased and activated,
that gaming room might be stocked with a lesser amount of game
discs in the future.
In some embodiments, a player purchases a game disc and receives
one or more game cards that contain information used to determine
what payouts, if any, are associated with that game disc. In
addition, an RFID tag may be associated with such game discs or
with their packaging and the RFID tag may be activated, deactivated
or otherwise updated at the time of purchase. An RFID tag may
function to store and transmit small amounts of information for
short distances. For example, an RFID tag associated with a game
disc may keep track of when and where the game disc was placed on
display and/or dispensed, and how many and/or which types of game
cards were purchased with any particular game disc. Such
information may be useful to track game discs. For example, such
information may be used to determine that game discs dispensed from
multiplayer gaming machines have an average of 3.2 gaming cards
associated with them, whereas game discs placed in casino hotel
rooms have a 45% chance of leaving the hotel without having a
single game card being purchased.
In some embodiments, locations that stock game discs for sale (such
as hotel front desks and casino retail outlets) may provide an
optional RFID deactivation service for players who are concerned
about their privacy. Some or all of the methods described above
could be used to render the RFID tag non-functional and/or
ineffective. Marketing materials associated with the game discs may
contain information about the RFID system and the types of data
collected, serving to inform players about privacy issues.
In some embodiments, an RFID-tagged game disc may function to
trigger a device and/or to alert casino personnel to remind a
player who has picked up the game disc that the disc must be
activated before it can be used. For example, an RFID receiver
could be located in a doorway or other threshold of a casino and
function to transmit a prompt signal to alert a person, such as a
casino representative, that a player walking out of the gaming
floor area is holding a game disc that has not been activated. Such
a prompt signal may be transmitted, for example, to a CPD 325 that
is in the possession of a casino representative. The casino
representative can then approach the player and offer to activate
the game disc by selling him one or more game cards. (In such a
case, care must be taken by the casino employee to frame the offer
in a manner to avoid antagonizing or alienating the player, or to
avoid making the player feel as if she is being monitored or
tracked).
In other embodiments, the game disc or the packaging may
incorporate a Global Positioning System (GPS) device (e.g., a small
semiconductor chip affixed to or embedded within the game disc
and/or the packaging). Such a GPS device may comprise a memory for
storing geographic locations as the game disc and/or the game disc
packaging is moved about, as is known in the art. For example, when
a player picks up a game disc from a display of discs on a casino
floor, the GPS device may be configured to activate and to store
game disc position location information at preset time intervals in
its memory so that casino personnel, for example, can determine
whether or not the GPS device has left casino grounds (e.g., at
all, since it first arrived, etc.), and if so, the purchase and/or
activation of the disc may be denied. In some embodiments, it may
be possible to wirelessly communicate with the GPS device to obtain
location information of particular game discs.
Other tamper evident and/or security items are contemplated that
may be associated with the game disc and/or with the packaging. For
example, a security strip may be added to each game disc, wherein
the security strip may be made of a polymer or metal material and
may be embedded into the disc or otherwise affixed to or embedded
within the packaging. Such a security strip may contain
microprinting or other anti-counterfeiting technology and may also
be positioned so as to be visible and/or easily recognizable by
casino personnel and/or readable by an automatic security device.
In some embodiments, the security strip or other security item may
have one or more unique characteristics (such as emitting a weak
magnetic field) that must be neutralized or deactivated before the
game disc can be activated and/or sold and/or removed from the
premises. Failure to deactivate such a security item would cause an
alarm device to activate, for example, if an attempt was made to
remove the game disc from the premises.
In other embodiments, other devices may be utilized that include,
but are not limited to, electronic alarm circuitry and wireless
communications circuitry. The alarm circuitry may include audio
and/or visual electronic components such as speakers and LED's that
may be triggered to go off to provide a tamper indication, for
example, if the package is opened before the alarm circuitry has
been deactivated. In an embodiment, only casino personnel have the
required means (such as a security deactivation device and/or a
special code) to deactivate the alarm circuitry components at the
time of purchase and game disc activation. The communications
circuitry may be operable, for example, to transmit an alarm signal
to a wireless receiver carried by security personnel if an
opportunist is attempting to open a game disc before purchasing
and/or activating that game disc.
Thus, as described, some embodiments contemplate a process wherein
a casino agent (i) receives a game disc and/or associated packaging
from a player wishing to purchase the disc, (ii) determines whether
or not the player has attempted to open the packaging and/or view
the game disc as described, and if the player has attempted to open
the packaging and/or view the game disc, then (iii) refuses to
activate and/or sell the game disc. Further, in some embodiments,
the process may include additional steps such as using a computing
device in communication with one or more databases described herein
to update one or more status indicators associated with the player
and/or associated with the game disc (or with the associated gaming
session or game contract or game session or game credit balance).
For example, a record or records contained in a player database
associated with the player may be flagged to indicate that the
player has attempted to fraudulently purchase a game disc, the
appropriate authorities may be notified of the attempted fraud
(e.g., governmental, regulatory, executive, etc.), and other
database entries as appropriate may be modified, for example, to
indicate that the particular game disc in question is no longer
available for sale and/or activation. In addition, the casino agent
may be required to activate game discs in a predetermined location,
such as in an area that includes a fixed position barcode scanner
so that the transaction may be monitored, for example, by security
cameras. Such a policy may discourage casino agents from attempting
to keep game discs and/or wagering game receipts that they believe
or perceive contain winning payouts for themselves instead of
selling them to players.
It should be noted that any or all of the aforementioned security
devices and processes described above may be used in any
combination which may depend on one or more various considerations,
such as cost, regulatory requirements, and packaging configuration.
Thus, a game disc may include multiple tamper evident devices that
may be associated with only the game disc, only the packaging, or
with both. Moreover, any or all of the aforementioned security
devices and processes described above in association with game
discs may also be utilized in conjunction with various other
products or media. For example, such security devices and processes
may be used in conjunction with DVDs, CDs or CD-ROMs comprising
other content, or may be used in conjunction with any retail
product where it may be desirable to detect whether the product has
been opened or altered.
Further, some embodiments of the present invention may be applied
outside the field of casino gaming. For example, in pharmaceutical
drug manufacturing and distribution there is a need for product
packaging that is tamper evident. A consumer filling a prescription
for blood pressure medication, for example, needs to be confident
that the pills within the container have not been tampered with
while in transit to the pharmacy or to her home. Some of the above
RFID tag embodiments mentioned above could prove to be an effective
solution to such a problem. For example, a pill bottle cap could be
outfitted with an RFID tag, which is destroyed when the cap was
removed or twisted. RFID readers at the pharmacy could be
configured to quickly identify a product container that has been
tampered with (or perhaps simply damaged in the distribution
process or while in transit) by determining whether or not there is
an RFID signal. In GPS embodiments, the pharmacy may be equipped
with a device capable of obtaining GPS data from the pill bottle
cap to confirm that the pill bottle had taken a prescribed route to
the pharmacy. Such an embodiment might reveal not only any
tampering attempts (for example, by indicating that the pill bottle
had been detoured to another state) but could also reveal whether
the pill bottle had come from an approved location (e.g. the pill
bottle originated at a reputable pharmaceutical company and had not
been illegally re-imported from another country, for example).
FIG. 11 illustrates a process 1100 for facilitating the purchase of
a DVD or other tangible medium that contains a plurality of
outcomes of a wagering game, and has associated therewith at least
one tamper evident item. The process 1100 may be performed, for
example, by a casino cashier or other casino representative who may
be stationed at a POS 320. As mentioned above, the POS 320 may be
in a fixed position that requires a casino agent or cashier to
inspect and to activate the DVD containing the wagering games in an
area that includes surveillance devices operable to discourage
interference with the sale of the DVD, or tampering with the DVD by
the casino agent or cashier.
In step 1105, a request to purchase a DVD is received. For example,
in one embodiment, a player may select a DVD from a display on a
casino slot floor that has recorded thereon a video presentation of
slot machine game outcomes based on the outcomes previously
generated by a GD. Alternatively, the player may request that the
casino attendant provide a DVD selected from behind a casino
counter for purchase. Step 1105 may comprise, for example,
receiving input from a casino attendant at the POS 320 that
indicates that a new transaction for the purchase of such a DVD is
to be initiated. In another embodiment, step 1105 may comprise
receiving a request from a player to purchase a DVD containing
certain parameters, such as a particular type of game, a wager
amount per game play, a number of game plays, and a price.
In step 1110, the casino attendant inspects the DVD and/or the
jewel case, for example, to determine if the tamper evident item(s)
(i.e. a security seal) is/are intact. If the tamper evident item(s)
pass inspection, then in step 1115, a unique identifier of the DVD
is determined. However, if the tamper evident item does not pass
inspection (i.e. tampering appears to have occurred), then in step
1120 the casino attendant refuses to activate the DVD and/or
refuses to sell the DVD. The process may also include step 1122,
wherein the appropriate authorities are notified and one or more
appropriate databases are updated as described above.
When the tamper evident item associated with the game disc passes
inspection, a unique game disc identifier on the packaging of a DVD
(or, in some embodiments, on the DVD itself may be entered via a
bar code scanner or keyboard, for example. In embodiments in which
the request for the DVD comprises a request that a DVD be generated
on behalf of a player, step 1115 may comprise determining or
assigning a unique identifier for the DVD to be created. For
example, a unique DVD identifier may be generated based on a
program or algorithm or a previously generated but as yet
unassigned DVD identifier may be retrieved from a database of
available DVD identifiers. In one embodiment, step 1115 may
comprise determining a session identifier of a session associated
with the DVD previously created or the DVD to be created.
In step 1125, it is determined whether the DVD is available for
purchase. For example, a database may be accessed and it may be
determined whether the status of the DVD is set to "available" or
other information associated with the DVD may be retrieved, based
on the unique identifier received in step 1125, that allows a
determination of whether the DVD is available for purchase. In one
embodiment, POS 320 accesses such information and determines the
availability of the DVD for purchase. In other embodiments, POS 320
transmits an indication of the unique identifier to another device
(e.g., CS 305), which determines the availability of the DVD for
purchase and transmits an indication of the availability to POS
320. In embodiments in which the request to purchase a DVD is a
request for a DVD to be created, step 1125 may comprise determining
whether a session as defined in the request of step 1105 may be
created (e.g., whether the requested combination of parameters and
values thereof are approved or approvable).
If the DVD is not available for purchase, a message indicating the
unavailability of the DVD for purchase is output in step 1130. For
example, such a message may be output to a casino attendant (who
may communicate the message to the player requesting to purchase
the DVD) and/or directly to the player requesting to purchase the
DVD. Otherwise, the process 1100 continues to step 1135.
In step 1135, an activation code is received. The activation code
may comprise, for example, a code provided to a player upon a
legitimate purchase of a DVD, to be used by the player as
subsequent proof of the purchase and/or to activate a video
presentation recorded on the DVD. In some embodiments, the
activation code may simply comprise a unique transaction identifier
generated or otherwise determined by POS 320. In other embodiments,
an activation code may be distinct from a transaction identifier.
In some embodiments, a unique activation code may be generated at
the time of a purchase of a DVD (e.g., using an algorithm created
for this purpose). In other embodiments, an activation code may be
selected from a list of previously generated and available
activation codes. In some embodiments, an activation code may be
encrypted. In some embodiments, the activation code associated with
the DVD may be assigned at the time of purchase of the DVD or may
be pre-assigned, and may be stored in a record of a database
associated with the DVD (e.g., in association with the disc
identifier and/or other unique identifier already associated with
the DVD). It should be noted that, in some embodiments, an
activation code may be determined and associated with a particular
DVD during the manufacturing process.
In step 1140, an indication of payment for the DVD is received. For
example, an operator of POS 320 may indicate an amount and form of
payment received for the DVD, as is known in the art of POS
operations. In some embodiments, step 1140 may comprise first
retrieving the price of the DVD (e.g., from a database, or by
scanning or otherwise determining a price indicated on the DVD or
packaging thereof).
In step 1145, a wagering game receipt for the DVD is output. An
example of such a receipt is illustrated in FIG. 14 (described in
detail below). For example, POS 320 may cause a receipt to be
printed. In some embodiments, the receipt for the DVD may be
e-mailed to the player or provided to the player in another
electronic form. In some embodiments, the activation code may be
included on the receipt. The casino or other entity responsible for
selling the DVD to the player may retain a copy of the receipt.
In step 1150, an indication of the sale of the DVD is stored, along
with the activation code. For example, a database may be accessed
and the current date and time may be stored in the date sold field.
The activation code now associated with the DVD may also be stored
in the record of such a database. The status of the DVD may be set
to "purchased" or another similar status.
In some embodiments, various steps may be taken to prevent or
discourage fraudulent purchase of pre-packaged DVDs, by casino
attendants, for example. Deterrents may be necessary because in
some embodiments game play results have already been generated at
the time of purchase, so the casino may wish to disguise the
redemption values of such DVDs (e.g., such that players and casino
employees may not figure out a way to "beat the system" by
purchasing DVDs which they may know or suspect include large
redemption values). For example, when generating a wagering game
receipt or a cashout ticket or otherwise outputting session result
data associated with a session on which a resultant DVD will be
based, no final session balance may be indicated or may only be
indicated in an encrypted form (e.g., such that a casino attendant
or other person with an opportunity to view the wagering game
receipt or cashout ticket or other session result data may not be
privy to whether the session has resulted in a relatively large
aggregate balance or amount).
Additional measures may be taken to prevent casino employees or
other persons in a position of becoming aware of or otherwise
gaining access to session result data associated with a session
(whether it be a session for a pre-packaged DVD or a session
executed on behalf of a particular player). For example, in one
embodiment, no session result ticket may be output. In another
embodiment, a casino attendant administering a session or otherwise
having an opportunity to gain access to session result data may not
be allowed to view game play results using a display screen of a GD
or otherwise. In some embodiments, as discussed above, the casino
employee may be required to sell the DVD to a player by handling
the transaction in a designated area that is covered by casino
surveillance equipment (that the casino employee may know is there)
to discourage him from trying to "beat the system" by placing
certain DVDs aside for himself (that he recognizes as potential
winners) and selling another to the player.
In some embodiments, a third party may administer the creation of
video presentations. For example, a casino attendant may execute a
session using a GD, such that afterwards a cashout ticket (that
does not indicate a final session balance, but is printed
nonetheless for auditing purposes) and a game video ticket are
output. The casino attendant may then provide the game video ticket
to the third party. The third party (e.g., AS 500 or operator
thereof) may then scan a barcode of the game video ticket and
produce a pre-packaged DVD based on the information encoded on the
game video ticket. In this manner the final session balance
associated with the DVD may not be known by a casino at the time it
is provided to a player. In some embodiments, at the time a DVD is
given to the casino by the third party, a payout code may
additionally be provided. For example, in some embodiments, players
having purchased sessions or DVDs created based thereon may fail to
claim winnings (e.g., redeem the DVD for the redemption value) that
they are due. Accordingly, in some embodiments, a casino may be
responsible for providing such payouts to players, though to
prevent fraud, casinos may not learn of a final session balance
associated with a session until after an associated video
presentation has been provided to a player. For example, thirty
days after a DVD has been sold to a player, a casino may provide
the payout code to the third-party, who then may inform the casino
of a final session balance due to the player.
FIG. 12 is a simplified flowchart of an example process 1200 for
redeeming a DVD. The process 1200 may be performed, for example, at
a POS 320.
In one embodiment, a player who purchases a DVD may return to the
casino at which the DVD was purchased. By presenting any or all of
a (i) a disc identifier, (ii) activation code, (iii) wagering game
receipt and/or (iv) valid photo identification, the player may be
able to redeem the DVD for the redemption value of the DVD (which
may be the end credit meter balance of the session on which the DVD
video presentation was based, or which may be a credit meter
balance located at a predetermined position within the session).
The player may, for example, collect a redemption value that
corresponds to the 231.sup.st spin of a 500 spin session of
outcomes on the DVD she purchased from one or more of (i) a casino
attendant operating a computer device (e.g., POS 320 or CPD 325),
(ii) a kiosk operable to facilitate the redemption of DVDs (e.g.,
by receiving a session identifier and/or other relevant information
via an input device, accessing a database, and determining a final
session balance or redemption value associated with the DVD) (iii)
a GD, and (iv) another device. A redemption value may be provided
to a player, for example, in the form of cash, voucher, gaming
credit, or any other form. In some embodiments, players may be
given an incentive to return to a casino to redeem DVDs (e.g.,
casinos may recognize that drawing customers back to their property
may lead to increased gambling activity and thus increased
revenues). For example, if a player is due a final session balance
of $63.25, the player may be offered an amount more than the final
session balance (e.g., an additional $10) to redeem the DVD at the
casino (e.g., rather than having a check for the redemption value
of the DVD mailed to the player).
In one embodiment, a player may redeem a DVD without returning to
the casino at which the DVD was purchased. For example, a player
may contact a casino after viewing a video presentation (e.g., via
postal mail, phone, fax, e-mail, a form of a casino Web page, etc.)
and indicate a session identifier, disc identifier, activation code
and/or some other information (e.g., a home phone number) by which
a casino may determine a redemption value due to the player. In one
embodiment, the player may be given an opportunity to specify
whether the player prefers to be mailed a check, to have funds
transferred in some electronic manner (e.g., funds are transferred
electronically to a players financial account) or to have the
redemption value provided to the player in some other manner.
In some embodiments, a player may not contact a casino after
purchasing a session. In one such embodiment, if a player is owed a
final session balance based on the purchased session, the casino
may wait a predetermined period of time after the purchase of the
DVD associated with the session. If this period of time (e.g., 30
days) elapses without any contact from the player (e.g., the player
does not return to the casino to redeem the DVD), the casino may
automatically issue any funds owed to the player (e.g., by mailing
a check to a provided address or storing the funds in a financial
account associated with the player).
In some embodiments, although a redemption value greater than zero
may correspond to a session purchased or provided to a player and a
price may be associated with the session, the player may have not
yet paid the price at the time he requests the redemption value.
Accordingly, in some embodiments, the price of the session may be
deducted from the redemption value. If the redemption value is
greater than the price, the player may be paid the difference. If
however, the redemption value is less than the price, the player
may be paid nothing.
In some embodiments, a session may end with a negative balance
(e.g., at the end of the session, the sum of wagers deducted from a
starting credit meter balance exceeds a sum of payouts added to the
starting credit meter balance). In some embodiments, such negative
balances may be treated similarly to a balance of zero credits; in
other words, the redemption value of the session may be zero.
Similarly, if the redemption value of a particular game disc is
associated with an intermediate outcome within a session, for
example, the 115.sup.th outcome of a 500 outcome session, and if
the credit meter at that point (the 115.sup.th outcome) is
negative, then the redemption value would be zero.
It should be noted that, in various embodiments, a player may have
an opportunity to redeem a DVD without having watched the video
presentation recorded on the DVD in its entirety (or at all). For
example, a player may purchase a DVD containing a video
presentation, but may not have a chance to watch the video
presentation before his next trip to the casino. In some
embodiments, such a player may be allowed to redeem the DVD
irrespective of the failure to watch the video presentation.
However, in other embodiments, a player may not be allowed to
redeem a DVD unless the player provides a special code, wherein
such special code is only output upon (e.g., during) the conclusion
of a video presentation recorded on the DVD (e.g., an alphanumeric
code or password is displayed during or after a final game play
result is depicted). In some embodiments, such a special code may
occur at some intermediate point in the session before the final
game play result.
Referring again to FIG. 12, in step 1205 a request to redeem a DVD
is received. For example, a player may approach POS 320 and provide
the DVD to be redeemed (and/or packaging and/or wagering game
receipt or other documentation thereof) and request the redemption
value of the DVD to be provided to the player. In another example,
a player may contact a casino or other entity that facilitates the
redemption of purchased DVDs in another manner (e.g., via
telephone, e-mail, the Internet, postal mail, etc.) to request the
redemption of a DVD.
In step 1210, a unique identifier of the DVD is determined (e.g.,
based on information provided in the request to redeem the DVD).
For example, a disc identifier located on packaging of the DVD may
be scanned in or typed in by a casino attendant (in such
embodiments a player may be required to provide the DVD, or at
least the packaging thereof, when redeeming the DVD).
In step 1215, a receipt code is received. For example, an
activation code printed on the receipt may be received. In another
example, a unique receipt identifier uniquely identifying the
receipt and/or transaction in which the receipt was issued is
received. For example, a casino attendant may scan or type in the
code. That is, in some embodiments a player may be required to
provide a receipt (or copy thereof) for the purchase of a DVD when
requesting to redeem the DVD. In some embodiments in which the code
received in step 1215 is an activation code, the activation code
for a DVD may have been provided to a player in a manner other than
being printed on a receipt (e.g., it may have been provided to a
player via e-mail, via another printed document, verbally, etc.).
Accordingly, in some embodiments in which an activation code is
required to redeem a DVD, step 1215 may comprise receiving the
activation code in any manner desired and practicable and not
necessarily via a receipt (in which case a receipt may or may not
be required to redeem the DVD).
In step 1220, it is determined whether the DVD has been
legitimately purchased. For example, a database or other memory
structure storing information about DVDs previously purchased may
be accessed. For example, a database may be accessed and it may be
verified that the disc identifier and activation code correspond to
one another in the database and, further, that the status of the
DVD corresponding to the disc identifier is currently "purchased."
In one embodiment, POS 320 or another device performing the
redemption process (e.g., a kiosk of a casino) may communicate with
a device storing such information (e.g., CS 305). In one
embodiment, the POS 320 or other device performing the redemption
process may be operable to determine whether the DVD was
legitimately purchased by accessing such a database and verifying
the information received. In another embodiment, the POS 320 or
other device performing the redemption process may forward the
information received to another device (e.g., CS 305) storing
information useful in verifying the legitimate purchase of the DVD
and determine that the DVD was legitimately purchased upon
receiving an authorization message or indication from this other
device.
If it is determined that the DVD was not legitimately purchased, a
message indicating an inability to redeem the DVD is output in step
1230. For example, a message indicating that the system is "unable
to confirm previous purchase" may be output to a display (e.g., to
a payer attempting to redeem the DVD and/or to a casino attendant
facilitating the redemption process, who in turn may communicate
this information to the player) and the redemption of the DVD may
be denied. Otherwise, the process 1220 continues to step 1225.
In step 1225, it is determined whether the DVD has previously been
redeemed. This step may be performed to prevent "double dipping" or
an attempt by a player to redeem a DVD more than once. This step
may also be performed to prevent double payment on a DVD that may
have already been redeemed by, for example, another family member
without the knowledge of the player. For example, an appropriate
database may be accessed to determine whether the status of the
subject DVD is set to "redeemed" or to another status indicating
that the DVD has previously been redeemed (or if a previous
successful redemption of the DVD is otherwise stored in a memory).
In one embodiment, POS 320 or another device performing the
redemption process (e.g., a kiosk of a casino) may communicate with
a device storing such information (e.g., CS 305). In one
embodiment, the POS 320 or other device performing the redemption
process may be operable to determine whether the DVD was previously
redeemed by accessing an appropriate database and confirming
whether information stored in the database indicates that the DVD
has previously been redeemed. In another embodiment, the POS 320 or
other device being used to perform the redemption process may
forward the information to another device (e.g., CS 305) that is
storing information useful in determining whether a DVD has
previously been redeemed, and then determine that the DVD has not
previously been redeemed upon receiving an authorization message or
indication from this other device. In some embodiments, the
determinations of steps 1220 and 1225 may be performed in a single
step and/or by a single device.
If it is determined that the DVD has already been redeemed, a
message indicating an inability to redeem the DVD is output in step
1230. For example, a message indicating "previously redeemed" or
another appropriate indication may be output (e.g., to a player
attempting to redeem the DVD and/or to a casino attendant
facilitating the redemption process, who in turn may communicate
this information to the player) and the redemption may be denied.
Otherwise, the process 1225 continues to step 1235. Such a process
enables any one of multiple forms of identification to be used to
redeem a DVD, without a casino or other responsible party having to
be concerned about erroneously providing multiple payouts for the
same DVD.
In step 1235, the redemption value of the DVD is determined. For
example, a record of a database associated with the DVD may be
accessed and the redemption value may be read from the database. In
some embodiments, the redemption value may be encoded on the DVD
itself and/or on the packaging thereof, and/or on the wagering game
receipt, and may be read therefrom (e.g., in addition to or in lieu
of accessing a database storing such information).
In step 1240, the redemption value is provided to a player, and in
step 1245 the status of the DVD is changed to "redeemed". As
described, a status field 535 of an available DVDs database 500 may
be updated to reflect that the DVD has been redeemed, and the
redemption value may be provided to a player in many different
forms and in a variety of different manners. For example, cash may
be handed to the player by a casino attendant or dispensed from a
kiosk. In another example, a cashless gaming receipt that may be
redeemed at a casino booth or that may be used for wagering at a GD
may be provided, the value of the receipt being based on the
redemption value. In yet another example, a check may be mailed to
a player. In another example, an electronic and/or financial
account associated with the player may be credited based on the
redemption value. In some embodiments, a redemption value may
correspond to a physical prize to be provided to the player (e.g.,
a coupon, piece of jewelry, discount booklet, gift certificate or
other tangible item). In such embodiments, step 1240 may comprise
authorizing a casino attendant to provide the prize to the player.
Step 1240 may further comprise storing an indication of the
successful redemption of the DVD in a memory (e.g., a status field
of a database may be set to "redeemed"), to prevent redeeming of
that DVD a second time. Alternatively, such a step of storing an
indication of the successful redemption of a DVD may be a distinct
step of process 1200.
FIGS. 13A-13C illustrate three distinct examples 1300, 1310 and
1315, of tickets that may be printed by a GD, each ticket having an
indication of a result of a session printed thereon. A ticket such
as one of these three examples may be printed, for example, for
auditing purposes, placed in a DVD jewel case for a player to use
to redeem a payment associated with the DVD, and/or used to provide
an indication to a device (e.g., AS 310) of one or more outcomes of
a session, the latter for purposes of creating a video
representation of the outcomes for recording onto a DVD. Such
tickets are referred to as "session results tickets" herein, as
they typically store an indication of one or more results (e.g.,
payouts, sum of payouts) of a session.
Of course, a session results ticket may store an indication of
other information associated with a session as well, such as an
indication of one or more parameters defining a session and/or
values thereof. Examples of such other information may include,
without limitation, (i) an end credit meter balance of the session;
(ii) one or more intermediate credit meter balances corresponding
to particular outcome values within the session that may be
predefined; (iii) a price of the session; (iv) a beginning credit
meter balance for the session; (v) a number of outcomes generated
for the session; (vi) a player associated with the session; (vii) a
casino attendant associated with the session; (viii) a time and/or
date at which the session was initiated and/or completed; (ix) a
gaming device at which the session was conducted; (x) a game for
which the outcomes of the session were generated; (xi) a casino at
which the ticket was generated and/or is redeemable; and (xii) a
unique session identifier associated with the ticket.
In one embodiment of a session results ticket printed for a
three-reel slot machine game, each outcome of a three-reel slot
machine game, as well as a corresponding payout information,
appears as text. Such a ticket is illustrated in FIG. 13C as the
"RESULTS TICKET" 1320. Using conventional TITO tickets (measuring
2.5''.times.6''; or approximately 6.35 cm.times.15.24 cm) and TITO
ticket printing technology, text regarding a substantial number of
outcomes may be printed on a ticket in this manner. Several of such
tickets may be used as necessary (e.g., a program stored within the
memory of a GD instructs a printer device to print 20 tickets, each
with 50 game results of a 1,000 spin session). Exemplary paper
tickets suitable for use according to such embodiments are sold by
Slot-Tickets.com.TM. of Memphis, Tenn. Of course, other methods of
printing an indication of outcomes of a session are contemplated.
For example, rather than print an indication of a limited number of
outcomes on a small, conventional ticket, a GD may comprise a roll
of receipt paper similar to those known and used in common retail
systems, such that an indication of a substantially large number of
outcomes may be printed on one contiguous piece of paper (e.g.,
which may be torn off by a casino attendant or other authorized
person after printing is complete). Such printing may occur at any
time during or after the execution of a session. A printed record
of a result of a session may not only be desired by players (who
may view the record at a later time), but also may be filed or
stored by a casino or other entity for auditing purposes (e.g.,
regulations may require that such printed records exist).
In some embodiments, an authorized person (e.g., casino employee)
may specify that a GD print a conventional "CASHOUT TICKET" 1300
which is shown in FIG. 13A. Such a cashout ticket 1300 indicates a
balance of credits and/or currency at the conclusion of the
execution of a session.
In one or more embodiments, an indication of a result of a session
may be printed in an encoded or encrypted form, or a form that is
readable by a device but not easily discernable by a person. For
example, FIG. 13B illustrates a "VIDEO TICKET" 1310 that includes a
high-density barcode that includes encoded data that may be
associated with one or more outcomes or session results. Such
encoded data may then be used to render a video presentation of
outcomes, which may be viewed remotely by a player who has
purchased a DVD on which outcomes representative of the result of
the session are recorded. For example, text, numerals or other
symbols or indicia stored within a session database (e.g., a series
of outcome identifiers) may be encoded such that they are
represented graphically by a barcode such as a high-density
barcode.
In some embodiments, various parameters or settings of a GD and/or
session may be set to "default" (e.g., a GD automatically prints a
cashout ticket 1300, video ticket 1310 and game result ticket 1320
upon the conclusion of an executed session). In some embodiments,
an authorized person (e.g., a casino employee executing the session
or causing the GD to execute the session) may alter one or more of
these parameters from the default sessions. In other embodiments,
such an authorized person may not be authorized to alter certain
settings.
In some embodiments, an entity (e.g., an operator of a AS 310) may
determine session result data from a session results ticket. For
example, if the session results ticket 1320 includes an indication
of a session result encoded in barcode form, the session result may
be determined by scanning a barcode of a session result ticket
(e.g., such as the bar code of example session results ticket
1320). Such a barcode may encode, for example, a session
identifier, a series of outcome identifiers and one or more
associated GD identifiers.
In one embodiment, a device (e.g., AS 310) may comprise software to
create a video representation of outcomes for recording onto a DVD
based on session result data, such as may be determined from a
session results ticket. For example, AS 310 may receive session
result data associated with a session in a manner such that AS 310
need not communicate via an electronic network with a casino for
purposes of obtaining such session result data, but may rather be
operable to receive session result data via session result tickets.
The AS 310 may be further operable to assemble video
representations of outcomes based on such tickets and supply such
video representations (e.g., in the form of DVDs on which such
video representations are recorded) to players and/or casinos for
subsequent sale to players.
FIG. 14 illustrates an example of a wagering game receipt 1400 that
may be provided to a player upon a purchase of a DVD by the player.
The receipt 1400 includes a name of a casino (in area 1405) that
may indicate the casino at which the DVD was purchased, the casino
at which the DVD may be redeemed, and/or the casino at which the
session upon which the outcomes represented on the DVD were
generated.
Area 1410 includes a printed message informing the player that the
receipt 1400 must be presented in order for the corresponding DVD
to be redeemed, as is consistent with some embodiments described
herein. The receipt 1400 also includes (in area 1415) an indication
of the date and time at which the DVD was purchased. Area 1420 of
the receipt includes an indication of session information
describing various parameters (and values thereof) defining the
session upon which the DVD video presentation is based. For
example, the example session information indicated on receipt 1400
is the name of the casino (e.g., casino at which the DVD was
purchased, at which the DVD may be redeemed and/or at which the
outcomes represented on the DVD were generated), the game for which
the outcomes represented on the DVD were generated (Double
Diamond), and an indication of the wager per game play (25 cents-2
coin) posted for each game play represented on the DVD. Of course,
different and/or additional session information may be indicated on
such a receipt.
The receipt 1400 also includes additional data (in area 1425) that
may comprise encoded information and/or human readable information
corresponding to the DVD and/or session (e.g., a redemption value,
POS and/or casino attendant associated with the sale, session
and/or DVD type, price of the DVD, etc.). A disc activation number
in area 1430 may appear in both bar code and human readable form.
The disc activation number may comprise, for example, a disc
activation code as described herein.
The receipt 1400 also includes a signature line (in area 1435) that
may comprise a line on which a player may be required to sign her
name upon redeeming a DVD (e.g., as a measure preventing the player
from claiming that the player has not redeemed the DVD and/or to
discourage the player from attempting to re-use the receipt to
again redeem the DVD). Another line and/or boxes may be included in
area 1440 to be filled in by a casino attendant and/or a player
upon a DVD being redeemed. For example, information relating to the
authorization of the redemption, the date and/or time of the
redemption, and/or the signature of the casino attendant
facilitating the redemption may be filled in.
The receipt further includes a prize claim code (in area 1445). The
prize claim code may comprise, for example, a barcode and/or a
serial number that corresponds to a location to find pertinent
information stored in a database. For example, the barcode may be
scanned to obtain a prize claim code that may be a pointer to a
record of a database that stores an indication of the redemption
value of the DVD. In some embodiments, the prize claim code may
comprise a disc identifier and/or a session identifier, as these
are described herein.
In some embodiments, a first and second casino may be part of the
same "session network." Accordingly, a player may enter a first
casino and purchases a session and/or a DVD based on a session. The
player may then enter a second casino and (i) collect a redemption
value associated with the session and/or DVD; and/or (ii) alter one
or more parameters associated with the session. Thus, in some
embodiments, devices of a first casino and second casino may
communicate with one another (e.g., so as to read from and/or write
to one or more databases).
It cannot be over-emphasized that the use of a DVD as an example of
a tangible media on which session result information may be
recorded, to allow remote viewing of outcomes of the session, is
intended as an example only and should not be taken in any limiting
fashion. Thus, for example, although a sale of a DVD is described
in detail with reference to FIG. 11, a similar process may be
performed for a sale of a session in another remotely viewable
form. For example, a sale of a CD-ROM, VHS tape, floppy disc, flash
memory, memory stick, dedicated portable device for viewing video
presentations, and paper-based flip-through book that illustrates
the outcomes of a session may also be sold in a similar manner. In
other words, the format or media via which the video presentation
is provided to a player is not limited to a DVD. In another
example, the redemption of a DVD as described is not intended to
limit the redemption of a session result to be via a DVD form. For
example, in one embodiment a player may provide a CD-ROM including
a video presentation thereon and redeem the CD-ROM or associated
wagering game receipt for the redemption value associated with the
session. Any practicable method of outputting a video presentation
to a player such that a player may purchase a plurality of outcomes
and view them remotely at the player's convenience is
contemplated.
Rules of Interpretation
Numerous embodiments have been described, and are presented for
illustrative purposes only. The described embodiments are not
intended to be limiting in any sense. The invention is widely
applicable to numerous embodiments, as is readily apparent from the
disclosure herein. These embodiments are described in sufficient
detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the
invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be
utilized and that structural, logical, software, electrical and
other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the
present invention. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will
recognize that the present invention may be practiced with various
modifications and alterations. Although particular features of the
present invention may be described with reference to one or more
particular embodiments or figures that form a part of the present
disclosure, and in which are shown, by way of illustration,
specific embodiments of the invention, it should be understood that
such features are not limited to usage in the one or more
particular embodiments or figures with reference to which they are
described. The present disclosure is thus neither a literal
description of all embodiments of the invention nor a listing of
features of the invention that must be present in all
embodiments.
The terms "an embodiment", "embodiment", "embodiments", "the
embodiment", "the embodiments", "an embodiment", "some
embodiments", "an example embodiment", "at least one embodiment",
"one or more embodiments" and "one embodiment" mean "one or more
(but not necessarily all) embodiments of the present invention(s)"
unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms "including",
"comprising" and variations thereof mean "including but not limited
to", unless expressly specified otherwise.
The term "consisting of" and variations thereof mean "including and
limited to", unless expressly specified otherwise.
The enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or all of
the items are mutually exclusive. The enumerated listing of items
does not imply that any or all of the items are collectively
exhaustive of anything, unless expressly specified otherwise. The
enumerated listing of items does not imply that the items are
ordered in any manner according to the order in which they are
enumerated.
The term "comprising at least one of" followed by a listing of
items does not imply that a component or subcomponent from each
item in the list is required. Rather, it means that one or more of
the items listed may comprise the item specified. For example, if
it is said "wherein A comprises at least one of: a, b and c" it is
meant that (i) A may comprise a, (ii) A may comprise b, (iii) A may
comprise c, (iv) A may comprise a and b, (v) A may comprise a and
c, (vi) A may comprise b and c, or (vii) A may comprise a, b and
c.
The terms "a", "an" and "the" mean "one or more", unless expressly
specified otherwise.
The term "based on" means "based at least on", unless expressly
specified otherwise.
The methods described herein (regardless of whether they are
referred to as methods, processes, algorithms, calculations, and
the like) inherently include one or more steps. Therefore, all
references to a "step" or "steps" of such a method have antecedent
basis in the mere recitation of the term `method` or a like term.
Accordingly, any reference in a claim to a `step` or `steps` of a
method is deemed to have sufficient antecedent basis.
Headings of sections provided in this document and the title are
for convenience only, and are not to be taken as limiting the
disclosure in any way.
Devices that are in communication with each other need not be in
continuous communication with each other, unless expressly
specified otherwise. In addition, devices that are in communication
with each other may communicate directly or indirectly through one
or more intermediaries.
A description of an embodiment with several components in
communication with each other does not imply that all such
components are required, or that each of the disclosed components
must communicate with every other component. On the contrary a
variety of optional components are described to illustrate the wide
variety of possible embodiments of the present invention.
Further, although process steps, method steps, algorithms or the
like may be described in a sequential order, such processes,
methods and algorithms may be configured to work in alternate
orders. In other words, any sequence or order of steps that may be
described in this document does not, in and of itself, indicate a
requirement that the steps be performed in that order. The steps of
processes described herein may be performed in any order practical.
Further, some steps may be performed simultaneously despite being
described or implied as occurring non-simultaneously (e.g., because
one step is described after the other step). Moreover, the
illustration of a process by its depiction in a drawing does not
imply that the illustrated process is exclusive of other variations
and modifications thereto, does not imply that the illustrated
process or any of its steps are necessary to the invention, and
does not imply that the illustrated process is preferred.
It will be readily apparent that the various methods and algorithms
described herein may be implemented by, e.g., appropriately
programmed general purpose computers and computing devices.
Typically a processor (e.g., a microprocessor or controller device)
will receive instructions from a memory or like storage device, and
execute those instructions, thereby performing a process defined by
those instructions. Further, programs that implement such methods
and algorithms may be stored and transmitted using a variety of
known media.
When a single device or article is described herein, it will be
readily apparent that more than one device/article (whether or not
they cooperate) may be used in place of a single device/article.
Similarly, where more than one device or article is described
herein (whether or not they cooperate), it will be readily apparent
that a single device/article may be used in place of the more than
one device or article.
The functionality and/or the features of a device may be
alternatively embodied by one or more other devices which are not
explicitly described as having such functionality/features. Thus,
other embodiments of the present invention need not include the
device itself.
The term "computer-readable medium" as used herein refers to any
medium that participates in providing data (e.g., instructions)
that may be read by a computer, a processor or a like device. Such
a medium may take many forms, including but not limited to,
non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media.
Non-volatile media include, for example, optical or magnetic disks
and other persistent memory. Volatile media may include dynamic
random access memory (DRAM), which typically constitutes the main
memory. Transmission media may include coaxial cables, copper wire
and fiber optics, including the wires or other pathways that
comprise a system bus coupled to the processor. Transmission media
may include or convey acoustic waves, light waves and
electromagnetic emissions, such as those generated during radio
frequency (RF) and infrared (IR) data communications. Common forms
of computer-readable media include, for example, a floppy disk, a
flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium,
a CD-ROM, DVD, any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape,
any other physical medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM, an
EPROM, a FLASH-EEPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, a
carrier wave as described hereinafter, or any other medium from
which a computer can read.
Various forms of computer readable media may be involved in
carrying sequences of instructions to a processor. For example,
sequences of instruction (i) may be delivered from RAM to a
processor, (ii) may be carried over a wireless transmission medium,
and/or (iii) may be formatted according to numerous formats,
standards or protocols, such as Transmission Control Protocol,
Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, TDMA, CDMA, and
3G.
Where databases are described, it will be understood by one of
ordinary skill in the art that (i) alternative database structures
to those described may be readily employed, and (ii) other memory
structures besides databases may be readily employed. Any schematic
illustrations and accompanying descriptions of any sample databases
presented herein are illustrative arrangements for stored
representations of information. Any number of other arrangements
may be employed besides those suggested by the tables shown.
Similarly, any illustrated entries of the databases represent
exemplary information only; those skilled in the art will
understand that the number and content of the entries can be
different from those illustrated herein. Further, despite any
depiction of the databases as tables, other formats (including
relational databases, object-based models and/or distributed
databases) could be used to store and manipulate the data types
described herein. Likewise, object methods or behaviors of a
database can be used to implement the processes of the present
invention. In addition, the databases may, in a known manner, be
stored locally or remotely from a device that accesses data in such
a database.
For example, as an example alternative to a database structure for
storing information, a hierarchical electronic file folder
structure may be used. A program may then be used to access the
appropriate information in an appropriate file folder in the
hierarchy based on a file path named in the program.
It should also be understood that, to the extent that any term
recited in the claims is referred to elsewhere in this document in
a manner consistent with a single meaning, that is done for the
sake of clarity only, and it is not intended that any such term be
so restricted, by implication or otherwise, to that single
meaning.
In a claim, a limitation of the claim which includes the phrase
"means for" or the phrase "step for" means that 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.112, paragraph 6, applies to that limitation.
In a claim, a limitation of the claim which does not include the
phrase "means for" or the phrase "step for" means that 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.112, paragraph 6 does not apply to that limitation,
regardless of whether that limitation recites a function without
recitation of structure, material or acts for performing that
function. For example, in a claim, the mere use of the phrase "step
of" or the phrase "steps of" in referring to one or more steps of
the claim or of another claim does not mean that 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.112, paragraph 6, applies to that step(s).
With respect to a means or a step for performing a specified
function in accordance with 35 U.S.C. .sctn.112, paragraph 6, the
corresponding structure, material or acts described in the
specification, and equivalents thereof, may perform additional
functions as well as the specified function.
Computers, processors, computing devices and like products are
structures that can perform a wide variety of functions. Such
products can be operable to perform a specified function by
executing one or more programs, such as a program stored in a
memory device of that product or in a memory device which that
product accesses. Unless expressly specified otherwise, such a
program need not be based on any particular algorithm, such as any
particular algorithm that might be disclosed in the present
application. It is well known to one of ordinary skill in the art
that a specified function may be implemented via different
algorithms, and any of a number of different algorithms would be a
mere design choice for carrying out the specified function.
Therefore, with respect to a means or a step for performing a
specified function in accordance with 35 U.S.C. .sctn.112,
paragraph 6, structure corresponding to a specified function
includes any product programmed to perform the specified function.
Such structure includes programmed products which perform the
function, regardless of whether such product is programmed with (i)
a disclosed algorithm for performing the function, (ii) an
algorithm that is similar to a disclosed algorithm, or (iii) a
different algorithm for performing the function.
CONCLUSION
While various embodiments have been described herein, it should be
understood that the scope of the present invention is not limited
to the particular embodiments explicitly described. Many other
variations and embodiments would be understood by one of ordinary
skill in the art upon reading the present description.
* * * * *
References